New Plan Aimed at Helping Infirm Elderly Regain Independence

By Yuval Azoulay, Haaretz

Israel

November 13, 2007

The health and pensioners’ affairs ministries unveiled a joint plan that “calls for rehabilitation programs for the elderly in hospitals, private homes and the community at large. Its intention is to help older people with medical problems regain their independence.” This relationship between maintaining independence while growing old and its potential for preventing mental diseases such as depression and Alzheimer’s is beginning to influence aging policy. GAA hopes that other countries recognize the significance of maintaining independence when creating services for the elderly. 

The health and pensioners' affairs ministries Monday unveiled a joint plan to improve medical treatment for the elderly. 

The plan calls for rehabilitation programs for the elderly in hospitals, private homes and the community at large. Its intention is to help older people with medical problems regain their independence.

The project, drafted by a joint steering committee headed by former director of the National Insurance Institution, Prof. Yohanan Stessman, was described by Health Minsitry officials as "revolutionary." 

The Pensioners' Affairs Ministry has earmarked NIS 7 million for the program, and the funds will be allocated over the next two years. 

Health Minister Yaakov Ben-Yizri and Pensioners' Affairs Minister Rafi Eitan, both of the Pensioners' Party, said Sunday that elderly people who would require rehabilitation within a few days from their release from hospital would be eligible for the rehabilitation program. Steering committee members said yesterday that many elderly people who needed rehabilitation in the past did not receive it. As a result, they needed hospitalization or constant care and their condition deteriorated. 

The committee members said they would consider enabling each person requiring rehabilitation to undergo some of the process in a hospital, for a three-month period, depending on the patient's condition. It will be possible to extend this period. The rest of the rehabilitation will be conducted in the community and the patient's home. 

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