The government will today (Sunday) approve the establishment of a special ministerial committee headed by Minister of Welfare Meir Cohen and Minister of Social Equality Meirav Cohen to address issues concerning the elderly population in Israel.
The move is part of the state's preparations for the aging population.
Minister of Welfare Meir Cohen and Minister of Social Equality and Retirement Meirav Cohen will chair a special ministerial committee on population aging, which will be responsible for promoting a coordinated government work program on various issues concerning senior citizens, including nursing, loneliness and employment.
Minister Meirav Cohen.
"We must prepare for the aging of the population," Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The Ministerial Committee will deal with responses to the adult population in Israel, which currently numbers about 1.2 million citizens, life expectancy in Israel is also on the rise and currently stands at 82.9 years - one of the highest in the OECD.
The issue of aging in Israel is considered one of the socio-economic issues for the State of Israel, and the Ministerial Committee will have the authority to formulate a comprehensive government policy to prepare for the aging population, as well as to formulate long-term solutions in the face of demographic change.
The Ministerial Committee to be established will provide a solution to issues that "fall between the cracks" and produce inter-ministerial work plans that will benefit the service to the senior citizen.
Among other things, the committee will deal with the issue of nursing currently scattered among various government ministries, addressing the loneliness phenomenon suffered by a third of adults in Israel aged 80, and over 15% of adults aged 70-60 and employment, where the labor market needs to be adjusted There is a significant gap between the remaining retirement age and the life expectancy that continues to rise.
Minister of Welfare Meir Cohen said: "Life expectancy in Israel is on a steady upward trend, this trend requires us to be prepared for all systems and aspects, including in the areas of welfare, employment and leisure.
On the one hand, it is our duty to create an orderly infrastructure in the field of employment for senior citizens who bring a lot of experience and quality, and also to improve the health, welfare and nursing infrastructure for the populations who need it, and no less important the leisure and loneliness challenge.
I welcome the establishment of this cabinet, which is of paramount importance in our planning and preparation for the future. "
Minister Meir Cohen.
"A cabinet of paramount importance", Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
The Minister for Social Equality, Meirav Cohen, added: "The population in Israel and around the world is aging and we as a government must prepare for this. This requires preparation and adjustment of the health system, nursing, employment market and improved responses to the destitute population suffering from loneliness.
"Since the establishment of the state, life expectancy has increased by about 16 years, the proportion of adults in the population has increased rapidly and if we adjust the policy to these changes we can enjoy the many assets that senior citizens bring with them. "Establishing an old cabinet will allow us to build holistic work plans and improve the services provided to our senior citizens. This is a strategic tool."
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