- Israel

JDC's Supportive Communities Provide a Life Line for Hundreds of Elderly in Maalot-Tarshiha

Ravid hasn't had it easy since this latest conflict began in the north of Israel. Now 70 years old, his health is in rapid decline. Although he finds it challenging to look after his own needs, he is still relatively independent. His wife Dena, however, is in worse shape. At age 67, she suffers from a variety of health problems including heart and lung difficulties and diabetes.

The couple’s grave health struggles are compounded by other stresses: Limited finances prevent them from leaving their home in Tarshiha; and although they have six children, the only one who lives in the same city as them lacks the time and means to deal with the myriad problems posed by rapidly aging parents. All of these issues leave Ravid and Dena vulnerable and dependent on outside resources for assistance. During the recent conflict, JDC’s Supportive Communities program, which has until now provided the infrastructure and safety net for them to continue living at home, has literally been a lifeline.

Maalot-Tarshiha was the third hardest hit of all Israeli cities in the latest crisis, with a total of 300 Hezbollah-launched Katyushas falling in the city. In addition to leaving the population terrified, rockets caused a great deal of property damage. Burned roofs, destroyed walls and craters in the ground are vestiges of this impact.

The Association for the Elderly and Blind—Maalot-Tarshiha, which runs the local Supportive Communities program, almost suffered a direct hit. When a rocket landed on the building next door, a piece broke off and flew through the window of the director's office while she and other staff were inside. Although not physically injured, they were treated for shock. Still, despite the property damage and emotional stress the incident generated, the Association went into swift action to care for its clients.

These clients represent the cultural diversity of the area -- comprising immigrants from Russia and Morocco, Christian and Muslim Arabs and native-born Israelis -- attesting to the great extent to which the Association has garnered the trust of various sectors of Israeli society. The NGO reaches very large numbers among their target population, which includes over 1,000 regular clients — 42% of the elderly in the region. Some 800 of these clients are assisted by JDC’s Supportive Communities program, an impressive one-third of the vulnerable elderly in the area and the largest percentage of elderly reached in Israel among similar programs.

During times of peace, the Association offers a wide range of services for both "normal" and special needs populations, including the blind and those suffering from Alzheimers. It sponsors a variety of clubs and social activities, and the staff provides physical and occupational therapy, bathes the clients, and arranges therapeutic activities for the clientele.

The Center’s Director, Elena, emigrated from Ukraine to Israel 16 years ago. She has observed tremendous cooperation among the diverse staff and volunteers, and insists that this diversity helps the Center to provide the best possible services. "We relate to each other as family and good neighbors. This outlook characterizes relationships between the staff and finds expression in their relations with the elderly. For these reasons, we are able to bring forward a message of cooperation and co-existence." Highly skilled and dedicated to improving the lives of their clients, the staff works together in a unified and effective way that has enabled them to achieve the seemingly impossible.

This was never more necessary than during the recent war. Planning and preparation proved to be key. In the mid-‘90s, fearing hostilities because of their location in the north, they made a strategic decision to develop an emergency plan. The Association, in close cooperation with the municipal welfare department, turned to ESHEL — JDC’s partnership with the Government of Israel to enhance the lives of the country’s elderly — for assistance. Together they developed a comprehensive emergency plan, including an updated phone tree and detailed records of all of their clients and each person’s special needs. In addition to professional guidance, JDC also provided financial support to Maalot-Tarshiha. Thus, when recent hostilities broke out, the Center was fully prepared to deal with the emerging crisis.

Supportive Communities volunteers were activated and put to work the moment the first rockets hit. Each of the 36 retired volunteers was assigned 10-20 elderly. They maintained regular telephone contact with them and, in many cases, visited them in their homes.

The network of staff and volunteers coordinated by the Association has been instrumental in caring for clients such as Ravid and Dena. The Coordinator for the elderly in Tarshiha, Najwa, calls and visits frequently, and encourages them to participate in short trips and activities at the Center. "We know that for whatever we need, her line is open to us," says Ravid. At times they need things delivered to their home or are looking for a lift to the doctor.

Already vulnerable, the couple’s needs intensified significantly during the war. They live in an old building which lacks a safe space. Meanwhile, Dena's health problems also escalated during the conflict. Both factors only increased their anxiety and dependence on outside support. A few days before the end of the war, Dena was taken to the hospital to undergo emergency care and remains there currently. Throughout this trying time, the couple was provided with hot meals every other day and regular phone calls ensured they had the medical attention and resources they needed to weather the crisis.

Ravid is very grateful for all of this assistance. "I appreciate how Najwa and others from the Center listened to me," he said. "They are very caring, sympathetic and supportive. I relied on them to help me get my needs met during this difficult time and I am very grateful for all of their efforts."

August 2006