Opening clubs, installing distress buttons and reinforcing social workers - the Ministry of Welfare is trying to fight the loneliness of senior citizens that has increased in the fifth wave
.
In Israel, there are those who want to celebrate the end of the Omicron wave, which also led to many deaths, but recently the situation of senior citizens has worsened and their loneliness has increased - in view of the extent of the disease that got out of control and feared they would be infected.
The older population also suffered in this wave more than the rest of the public.
The fear of developing a serious illness and the avoidance of meeting friends and family, intensified the feeling of loneliness that has accompanied them for two years, since the outbreak of the plague.
The Ministry of Welfare is now launching a program that will give them a "social booster shot" and will mainly deal with the severe loneliness they have experienced in recent weeks.
This is a plan that costs about NIS 260 million, which includes a series of measures to alleviate loneliness.
Among other things, about 70 new social exemplary clubs will be opened for the elderly throughout the country.
In these clubs they are assured of their food security and social activity.
Eligibility for the service is not conditional on the level of risk or socio-economic situation - all you have to do is contact the local authority's social services department.
Growing demand for basic necessities
In addition, the activity days of clubs for the elderly will be extended from three to five days a week.
Alongside these, ten more day centers will be opened nationwide and about 330 different programs for alleviating loneliness will be implemented throughout the country at a cost of NIS 10 million.
The programs will include the involvement of students, youth, volunteers at various centers who will visit seniors, talk to them over the phone and help take care of any shortages.
An important part of the program is the operation of 150 response coordinators and coordinators throughout the country, whose role is to assist senior citizens living in their homes who avoid going out into the public space, as part of a joint venture with the Friendship Foundation.
For this purpose, more than NIS 20 million was allocated.
It should be noted that seniors have faced a substantial challenge since the outbreak of the corona, some refraining from leaving their homes and neglecting their care.
Others face acute shortages.
According to the Magen Zahav program of the Ministry of Welfare and the Friendship Foundation, the highest demand in 2021 among the elderly was for basic needs, including: assistance with food packages and coupons for food chains, urgent dental care, air conditioning for home heating and cooling, assistance with clothing, television, assistance In home repairs - roof sealing, repair of leaks and replacement of front door.
The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security states that they have helped more than 20,000 elderly people and their families in the amount of NIS 12 million in the past year, and still - a lot of work.
The sense of security for the elderly is one of the most important, so the program will provide about 15,000 distress buttons and fall sensors for the benefit of senior citizens, and among other things will add about 28 standards to units for the prevention of abuse and neglect.
Minister of Welfare Meir Cohen at the "Israel Today" conference: "Social workers will start working in schools" // Photo Archive: Fusion
According to the Minister of Welfare and Social Security, Meir Cohen: "We have changed the whole concept of providing services to the elderly population. We have given more freedom to local authorities to adapt the responses to their population, we have added resources, clubs, buttons, technology and services and more." An older person in Israel will not live in scarcity and will not feel lonely. "
The director general of the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, Sigal Moran: "We will continue to keep our hands on the pulse and adapt our plans to the needs of the elderly population so that every person in Israel knows that he has an address."
Were we wrong?
Fixed!
If you found an error in the article, we'll be happy for you to share it with us
