The Elderly Home Care Project (the first of its kind in Jerusalem )

Home Care Project for the Elderly – Jerusalem District 2023, In collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, this project aims to provide daytime home care for the elderly in the Jerusalem district, ensuring their needs are met. Through this intervention, the organization offers social, health, and psychological care, provides essential supplies and meals, and organizes awareness-raising and recreational activities. These efforts aim to foster the social engagement of elderly individuals, reduce isolation, and enhance their role in society while sustaining their contributions.

 Project Objective:

To contribute to the improvement of the living, social, health, and psychological conditions of the elderly in the Jerusalem district.

 Geographic Context:

The project targets elderly individuals in the Jerusalem district, where, according to 2021 statistics, the elderly population exceeds 24,000. Specifically, it focuses on the towns of Abu Dis and Al-Eizariya, marginalized areas with high needs among the elderly.

 Timeline:

The project runs from December 1, 2022, to July 30, 2023, with core activities implemented between March and July 2023 across three main phases.

 Target Group:

The project supports 22 elderly men and women from Abu Dis and Al-Eizariya, identified based on recommendations from the Directorate of Social Development in Jerusalem. Those most marginalized and in need were prioritized.

 Project Implementation Phases:

§  Phase 1: Preparation, including a field study with direct visits to assess beneficiaries’ needs and conditions and analyze this data to identify activities that meet these needs.

§  Phase 2: Implementation of primary activities and interventions.

§  Phase 3: Individualized interventions based on an evaluation of the previous phase, with recommendations for elderly care in the area and Palestine overall.

 Project Activities:

The following interventions will be conducted as part of the project:

1.      Conduct a detailed needs assessment for the target group.

2.      Organize medical visits by a physician to assess the health status and needs of the elderly.

3.      Reduce isolation and weak social connections among the elderly through:

o   Regular home visits by social workers.

o   Outdoor recreational, awareness, and health-related activities such as group meals, excursions, and vision screenings.

o   Festive visits during holidays.

o   In-home activities such as personal care and beauty sessions for elderly women beneficiaries.

4.      Provide food baskets and in-kind supplies, including:

o   Ready-to-consume food packs.

o   Personal care kits.

o   Household cleaning products.

o   Long-lasting food items.

5.      Organize periodic visits to assist with household tasks. 

6.      Meet individual needs based on a personalized needs analysis for each elderly beneficiary.