Rights and benefits for Holocaust survivors with dementia
There are currently about 120,000 Holocaust survivors living in Israel, and their average age is about 87. According to data from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, at these ages about 30% of people live with dementia to varying degrees. In other words, about 36,000 women and men, Holocaust survivors, are currently dealing with dementia (including Alzheimer's).
Behind these numbers are grandparents who have gone through hell – and are now dealing with an illness that affects memory, judgment and daily functioning. They and their families need every possible assistance. The Amda Association accompanies thousands of Holocaust survivors with dementia and their families with practical guidance and emotional support, and works in collaboration with various bodies to expand the basket of benefits for them.
Below is a breakdown of the various rights and benefits that Holocaust survivors are entitled to receive from the state and various non-profit organizations (including within the framework of collaborations with the EMDA Association).
Recognition of dementia for Holocaust survivors – 25% disability and additional pension
Holocaust survivors who are recognized by the Holocaust Survivors Rights Authority at the Ministry of Finance as "first-cycle survivors" or who receive a fixed monthly benefit from the Ministry of Finance or German foundations, can request recognition of dementia as an exacerbation.
- In the event of a diagnosis of dementia (including Alzheimer's), you can receive 25 % Disability (¼ disability) due to persecution – which means Increasing the monthly allowance Paid to survivors.
- For this purpose, an opinion is required from Geriatrician / Psychogeriatrician or a neurologist, detailing a diagnosis of dementia and the degree of cognitive impairment, and sometimes the results of a cognitive test (e.g. MMSE/MoCA) must also be attached.
- Relevant information and forms are available on the gov.il website. HEREAnd you can consult the Holocaust Survivors Authority hotline here – 5105*
- After the authority recognizes dementia, you can also request participation in related expenses (see below).
Participation in care expenses – caregiver, nursing home, and absorbent products
Recognition of dementia as a disability entitles, among other things, to:
- Participation in financing an Israeli home therapist: Monthly supplement (an amount updated according to the authority's decision, for example around hundreds of shekels per month).
- Participation in financing a foreign therapist: A higher monthly supplement for survivors who employ a foreign nursing worker.
- Participation in financing hospitalization in a nursing home: An additional monthly amount (usually in the order of approximately 1,400 NIS, updated from time to time).
- Partial refund on absorbent products: Fixed monthly refund on adult diapers.
- Relevant information and forms are available on the gov.il website. HEREAnd you can consult the Holocaust Survivors Authority hotline here – 5105*
Eligibility and exact amounts are updated from time to time, so it is important to check the website of the Holocaust Survivors' Rights Authority or with the help of the Aviv Holocaust Survivors Association.
Additional nursing hours for Holocaust survivors
Holocaust survivors who receive the maximum nursing care benefit from the National Insurance Institute are usually entitled to an additional nine hours of nursing care per week (funded by the Holocaust Survivors Welfare Fund / Claims Conference)
Main conditions:
- Recognition as a Holocaust survivor According to one of the official bodies (Ministry of Finance, Claims Conference, etc.).
- Eligibility for the high dependency level In a nursing care benefit or entitlement to special services / "helping others" to certain extents.
- Data transfer is usually done Automatic Between the National Insurance Fund and the Fund; in special cases, an income form and a proactive application are required.
- Application form found HEREAnd you can get help from the Holocaust Survivors Welfare Fund hotline – 03-6090866
In addition there are:
- Short routes after hospitalization (Up to approximately 50 hours of nursing care for the first two months after discharge from the hospital). The request is submitted through the social worker at the hospital.
- course "Community ladder" – A package of temporary nursing hours for survivors in transition situations, subject to meeting medical and social criteria.
- For these requests, information can also be used. On the website of the Holocaust Survivors Welfare Fund, and at the center of the foundation – 03-6090866
Advice and assistance in exercising rights
The realization of the rights of Holocaust survivors is complex, especially for families who are also dealing with dementia. For assistance and support in realizing rights, free of charge, you can seek help from the following centers:
Accessibility and adaptation of housing
There are several organizations that support the accessibility of apartments and houses for Holocaust survivors. Among other things, depending on the supporting organization and eligibility, it is possible to widen openings, adapt bathrooms and toilets, install grab bars and railings, remove mold, seal, repair electrical infrastructure, build access paths, and more. To receive assistance and renovation to make housing accessible and adaptable for Holocaust survivors, free of charge, you can seek help from the following organizations:
Benefits as part of the collaboration between the EMDA Association and the Lemanam Association
- subsidization Telam Program (Family support program)): The For their sake Subsidizes approximately 700 NIS out of a cost of 1,180 NIS for a Holocaust survivor family; the family pays only approximately 480 NIS. The program includes 3 home visits and telephone support for two years – by a specialist for families with dementia. For details and reservations – contact the EMDA Association hotline – 8889* And indicate that you are interested in the program TELEM, in a benefit for Holocaust survivors.
- subsidization Zoom consultation hour (Personal consultation with an expert in supporting families with dementia): The For their sake Subsidizes the full cost (340 NIS) of the first hour of Zoom counseling for a Holocaust survivor family. The family pays only if additional counseling hours are needed within this framework. The counseling is individual and personal, and is carried out by a professional with extensive experience in supporting families with dementia. For details and reservations – contact the EMDA Association hotline – 8889* And indicate that you are interested in Zoom consultation, and in the benefit for Holocaust survivors.
- subsidization Family envelope (Close professional support with authorities and suppliers): The For their sake Subsidizes the full cost (250 NIS) of the first hour of counseling as part of a family envelope program, for a family surviving the Holocaust. The family will pay for additional counseling hours within this framework, if necessary. The counseling is individual and personal, and is carried out by professionals experienced in assisting families with dementia in exercising their rights. For details and reservations – contact the EMDA Association hotline – 8889* And indicate that you are interested in Zoom consultation, and in the benefit for Holocaust survivors.
- מימון Digital course for foreign workers (in English or Russian)): Association For their sake Provides full subsidy for the course (which costs 200 NIS) – once for each Holocaust survivor family. The family does not pay at all, and following the course the foreign worker learns how to provide tailored care to a person with dementia, thereby improving the care and maintaining resilience and the ability to persevere in treatment. For details – contact EMDA Association on the phone 09-7939318 And indicate that you are interested in the course, and in the benefit for Holocaust survivors.
- Free medical home visits: Association For their sake Operates doctors and medical students, who come to the Holocaust Survivors' Home free of charge to check medical conditions and improve treatment. Among other things, hearing and vision are checked, and subsidized solutions are offered (glasses, cataract surgery, hearing aids, etc.) that prevent the person with dementia from becoming isolated and slow cognitive decline. For details and to book home visits, contact the organization's hotline for them - 3191*.
Benefits in the "Connections from the Heart" project (in collaboration with local authorities)
- project Connections ❤ from the heart of the EMDA Association, described HERE, and includes volunteer visits to the homes of families with dementia, guided by social workers from welfare departments, with training and professional guidance from a qualified professional.
- The volunteer visits the family home every week for a quarter, supports the family members who are caring for them, and activates the person with dementia using EMDA activity kits. The goal is to alleviate loneliness, support the primary caregiver, and gently and meaningfully activate the person with dementia.
- project Connections ❤ from the heart In most cases, fully funded Holocaust survivors recognized by the Claims Conference are awarded. The project is currently operating in 16 local communities and projects.
- Families of Holocaust survivors are invited to check HERE If active Connections ❤ from the heart is active in their locality, and if so – the contact information of the project coordinator in your locality, to invite a volunteer for you as well.
- Welfare managers in municipalities and regional councils are invited to consult with the project manager regarding funding. Connections ❤ from the heart For Holocaust survivors: Noa Matias – noa@alz-emda.org.il
In conclusion – you don't have to deal with it alone.
Holocaust survivors with dementia face two cycles of harm: historical trauma and complex aging. Medical, economic, and community rights are designed to make things easier for them and their families – but they are not always realized, partly due to overload, confusion, and bureaucracy.
If you have a family member who is a Holocaust survivor with dementia (or suspected cognitive decline), it is recommended that you:
- Apply for examination and exercise of rights toMinistry of Social Equality To-8840* Or to the association spring 5711*
- Contact the association For their sake – For free medical diagnosis at home, and subsidizing solutions to improve health – 3191*.
- Contact The EMDA Association – Telephone counseling and information center, free of charge – 8889*The association provides emotional support (70). Support Groups free of charge throughout the country and on Zoom), practical guidance, and a variety of additional solutions free of charge or subsidized by the association For their sake For Holocaust survivors.