JDC-ESCHEL Provides a Home for Jerusalem's Elderly

For Rivka, the decision to move to a nursing home came when, at the age of 80, her joints became too painful to allow her to help around the house. Against her son's wishes, Rivka, a gentle but determined veteran immigrant from Moldova, began to make inquiries at her local seniors club. She knew that she wanted to live somewhere where she could be cared for yet still maintain her active life.

Chaya, originally from Crimea, Russia, decided to move to a seniors' home when, a year after her son's sudden death in 2003, she found herself increasingly home alone as her daughter-in-law worked overtime to cover crippling mortgage payments. Lymphoid problems also limited Chaya's mobility. After a frank discussion Chaya, in her 80s, chose to move rather than have a daily caregiver, as she loved to be around people and thought that living with her peers would help diffuse her grief over her son's tragic passing.

Today, these three immigrant women all live in the Beit Alicia Home for the Aged in Jerusalem – a residential facility for the mentally and physically frail elderly. Furthermore, all three are determined to enjoy life despite the personal challenges they face; they fiercely safeguard their independence; and thanks to Beit Alicia, they live in a warm and supportive home, with dignity.

Beit Alicia is operated by the Jerusalem-based Idan Services for the Elderly, one of a large network of non-profit associations serving the elderly that JDC-ESHEL – The Association for the Planning and Development of Services for the Aged in Israel – helped establish and continues to support professionally.

For over 35 years, JDC-ESHEL has pioneered approaches that improve quality of care for Israel's elderly and provide innovative solutions to the challenges they face. A partnership between JDC and the Israeli government, JDC-ESHEL pursues the dual mission of helping the elderly remain independent for as along as possible and enhancing the lives of those who reside in nursing homes.

Beit Alicia collaborates with JDC-ESHEL in its latter charge. Through ongoing initiatives such as training programs to help raise the service standard of medical and social work professionals who work with the elderly, JDC-ESHEL helps Bet Alicia's staff ensure the best possible care for its residents.

Chaya particularly appreciates the care she receives. "It's good for me here…I'm thankful that I can go and see a doctor easily, as there's one here all the time." She also enjoys her aerobics class, where she can exercise from her seat. "The teacher works one on one with everybody and doesn’t just tell us to do things."

Rivka, now 92, also welcomes the social activities that Bet Alicia provides, which include arts and crafts, bingo, a Russian speakers club, animal therapy, gardening and music as well as regular Shabbat and festival celebrations. "I can't just sit and do nothing," she explains. "I like to embroider, crochet or read a book. At the moment I'm making a matzah cover for Passover which we'll sell at our annual bazaar." Olga agrees, but unfortunately, due to her visual disability and sensitive hearing, she finds it difficult to take part in many activities. She doesn’t like to complain and quickly volunteers, "I am thankful for what I am given." But she reluctantly admits that it is hard for her to hear with all the noise.

Sadly, this situation is exacerbated by the home's limited public areas. Although staff strive to maintain a high level of care, the building itself is restrictive. All communal activities take place in the dining room, and when relatives come to visit residents must either welcome them in their rooms (which they share) or brave the elements and sit outside in the communal garden. Additionally, the building's narrow corridors and single elevator demand high levels of coordination and patience from residents and staff alike. Hedva, the Home's director, acknowledges that the building is in constant need of repair.

However, thanks to the cooperative partnership that JDC-ESHEL has developed with the Jerusalem municipality – as with local authorities throughout Israel – this will not be an issue for much longer. JDC-ESHEL's comprehensive approach to promoting superior care for Israel's retirees has also included the building of 20 homes for Israel's elderly. Aware of the need for an alternative building to best care for the elderly residents at Jerusalem's Beit Alicia, JDC-ESHEL now plans to establish a 21st home.

In 2008, Beit Alicia will be moving to a new facility, on land provided by the Municipality of Jerusalem, to be made possible by a major contribution from Dr. Norman Levan of Bakersfield, California.

"A new home will be such a wonderful gift to us," says Chaya, her new friends and fellow residents chiming in. "A wonderful gift."