- Israel

JDC Crisis Response Plan: Elderly

JDC, together with United Jewish Communities (UJC), the Jewish Federations of North America, and the Jewish Agency have taken immediate action ensuring the safety of the most vulnerable populations which it traditionally served.

Programs for the Elderly

When crisis hits, the vulnerable suffer most. This is the harsh reality now facing many Israelis across the north of Israel. Yet, they can be helped with a range of alternative services designed to deliver assistance during the security emergency.

Emergency Supportive Communities for the Elderly
25 Supportive Communities in affected areas are already working with local elderly to mediate the impact of the sudden and alarming downturn in the security situation. They are prepared to further extend services to help members cope with the challenges of the emergency as soon as funds become available. Expanded services will include:

Basic home equipment for use in time of emergency (e.g. emergency lights, television etc);
Transportation assistance to increase members' mobility
Seminars on "Coping in Times of Emergency"
A part-time social worker for each community to provide elderly with additional support

Urgent Interim Assistance for Day Center Clients
By order of the Home Front Command, Day Care Centers for the elderly within missile range have now been closed. Urgent assistance for these clients who depend on regularly attending day care centers for their basic needs must

be addressed. This includes additional manpower to provide meals on wheels and urgently-needed medications, as well as other social assistance to elderly at home; and assuring that all residential shelters servicing this population are equipped with essential supplies.

Emergency Assistance through Day Centers for the Elderly.
Once 20 Day Centers for the elderly in affected areas are allowed to reopen, they will require an Emergency Basket of Services in order to help clients deal with the trauma and challenges already wrought by the unfolding security emergency. Each Center will provide assistance according to local needs. Services will include:

Two social worker positions at each day center to support elderly through their anxieties
Funding for non-members to attend and benefit from the center's supportive environment
Meals on wheels for those elderly who cannot attend due to the security situation and additional meals for non-members
Seminars on "Coping in Times of Emergency" for both members and other local elderly
Transportation assistance to and from hospitals Day Center telephone hotline to provide round the clock assistance

Click here to download JDC's Israel Crisis Fund Proposal

Adobe Acrobat(pdf - 574kb)

Read about JDC's Emergency Programs for other Vulnerable Populations:

Children

Disabled

PLEASE JOIN US IN HELPING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL:

In North America via your local federation

Online
United Jewish Communities Israel Crisis Fund
Mail

July 2006