Diverse services at all hours, a variety of activities even in the days of Corona and a supportive community - all of these make sheltered housing a place where security is the key word • "Life expectancy increases - but if the quality of life does not increase with it it does not matter" "•
Photography:
Oren Ben Hakon (illustration)
Rachel Barak lived in a spacious villa in Kiryat Haim, and was always surrounded by people.
Even after her husband died, friends continued to flood the house, but she felt the need to change the atmosphere, to be in a place where she did not have to worry about a lack of any basic need, and to know that even if a lamp burned in the middle of the night there would be someone to come immediately.
"I had a hard time alone and decided to visit a house in the heart of Kiryat Motzkin," says Rachel. "You have and the living space where you host and do what you want, and once you leave there are always people around you. There is also the health envelope. The tenants are where they are directed. The right life - it starts with sports, through cognitive thinking, and everything is monitored and guided. The sheltered housing gives the ability to continue living independently, there is a team that wraps you around and gives everything you need. People here are not nursing but living a life of choice. We give everything to Let everyone choose what they want. "
In the same compound.
The tenant can, of course, choose whether to stay in his apartment or go down to social gatherings, to such and such classes. "
The feeling of security is very significant for the tenants.
"As you grow older, you want to feel confident, both personally and medically," says Nurit. "Here you know that you have a medical solution at all times. If you do not feel well, there is always someone to turn to, with a team that knows you and your needs and knows how to give. Solutions ".
"And finally, there is the whole issue of motivation for activity: when you live alone, maybe twice a week from my previous impression here. From the first day I came here I felt at home. I was apprehensive about moving specifically during the Corona period, because I passed the second closure peak. The Ministry of Health and there are countless activities here. All types of exercise according to the abilities and according to the different levels. "
"The tenants here at the mansion try to wrap up every new tenant, support and help. That's also what happened to me, and I do it with the others, so that no one feels lonely. If I saw someone with a slightly downcast face straight up I offered and offered help, and everyone here is like "Ambassador of the place. We finally understand that one is here for the other as a family, and this giving is felt and empowers both sides."
Dafna Kotan, from a village in Bitan Aharon, also moved to sheltered housing during the Corona period and feels she came to the right place at the right time: "There was great concern but I quickly realized that I was in a safe place that would allow me medical and social security, which is so important during this period. "Remember how it was different. When I came here I immediately found a girlfriend, and there is not a single moment of loneliness here. If you want you sit in your house, if you want you go out and meet friends for a cup of coffee and a little chat."
"Even during this period, we enjoy a sports club twice a week, a gymnastics club with chairs that an outside instructor gives us, the pool here is open, there is a water gymnastics club that I participate in. We get performances by artists here, there are good movies, try to give us as much as possible. Cultural. We have an amazing library open, 24/7 synagogue, grocery store, hairdresser, massage, cosmetics, cafeteria - which is the center of our lives. We do not let you feel alone even for a moment. We felt it well on holidays. It's a different world, "Compared to the loneliness that someone who lives alone outside of sheltered housing may feel. And most importantly - there is always someone to talk to and someone to turn to. This is a huge advantage."
"I've been here for nine years, I have a social life here, very varied activities, shows even during the Corona period, every day something different. If I had stayed in my own house, alone, the picture would have been completely different on days like this. I'm really free to do what I want "Wearing a bathing suit, bathrobe and going to an open pool, while outside everything is still closed"
Life expectancy has been rising in recent years, and in this context Hagit emphasizes that if the quality of life does not increase with it, it has no meaning.
"Here we play an important role - to take care of the quality of life of every tenant, in a healthy body and a healthy mind. The example of the corona is excellent: in the last year people outside suffer from loneliness. At first friends said to me, 'Are you crazy? With a palace like you have to leave everything protected?'
But now I talk to some of them, who are sitting at home and feeling the social distance, and understand how right the step I took is. "
Regarding the envelope and security that the house gives her, Rachel says: "We do not have a problem here that is not answered, from repairs and shopping to medicine. The clinic is available all the time, they bring me the medicine when I need it. I do have a car but I just do not move it. Here, sometimes the children laugh that I don't have time for them. "
Nurit Bar-Oz Fahima, deputy director of Beit Balav in Petah Tikva and director of culture, emphasizes that the most common reason for entering sheltered housing is the social aspect: "People do not want to be alone, even when in a relationship. At this age, people leave home less and meet people, and here They have everything down the elevator. They maintain a full social life without having to get in the car, drive, look for parking. Their whole community is out for a walk in the park and it's nice. But in a place like this the tenants sweep each other: one goes down to the circle, the other joins and so on "80 percent of our residents do sports and the picture in the morning is amazing, to see everyone go to practice in the various classes. One of the gym teachers even gives a class to the staff, and I'm not sure we keep up with the tenants ..."
The choice is in their hands
Hagit Pinto, CEO of Ahuzat Tzahala of the Rubinstein estates chain, notes that the decision to move to sheltered housing should be "with the understanding that life goes on, even at this age.
The most important thing is not to be alone.
We know that the number one cause of death in old age is loneliness, and sheltered housing provides society at any given time.
If you choose to go to the gym, to the pool, to lectures, to go down for coffee with friends in the lobby - you are constantly surrounded by people.
It's not that you have to.
The advantage of sheltered housing is that it gives you the autonomous residence, you have the apartment and the physical minister, in the cognitive ability as a result of which there are no social ties.
"We have an increase in all these indicators, people are doing more sports, holding social gatherings according to the guidelines and not only have they maintained themselves but even upgraded the situation they were in, and all with support for everything they need from the team."
An attentive ear at all times
Hani, a resident of Ahuzat Rishonim from the Ahuzat Rubinstein chain, reinforces: "My husband passed away two years ago. I stayed at home and felt that the walls were closing in on me, due to the lack of company. The children at first did not understand what I was missing "In my age group, who will speak my language and the like. I did not consult with them and the decision just rewarded in my heart and I informed them that I was moving, because I knew the place."