Thursday brought an excellent discussion of mediation in cases of elder abuse and a joint presentation from the Israeli and US Alzheimers Association. It appears the US is ahead in court related mediation and Israel leads in community based mediation. The Israelis are very innovative in providing items to stimulate patients mentally and physically. The Israeli Alzheimer's Association, or EMDA, created an innovative "box of tricks",.The family members and caregivers are trained in the use of the activity box which facilitates anyone to interact more meaningfully with patients
The meeting was held at KESHET a multi-level long term care facility which provides day care through nursing level care. One of their innovations is the "snooze room" to calm and relax both patients and their caregivers. The room resembled the last Justice Ball with white curtains, lava lamps and mood music...I kept looking around for someone on stilts...It was a great experience and one that appears to require very little monetary expenditure to transform a room into a sensory wonderland complete with aroma therapy and white couches...Is Kathy English moonlighting in Tel Aviv?
The emphasis on caregivers is striking. The Israelis are concentrating on ways to keep caregivers from burning out. They provide activities at day care centers for both patients and their caregivers in separate locations...both parties receive a much needed respite. Respite care is widely believed to be a critical tool in preventing elder abuse.
During a farewell lunch we spoke about overriding themes and issues we want to work on together. Mediation and caregiver training seemed to be the two areas that would benefit from collaborative efforts. LA appreciated the amazing efforts of Tel Aviv in amassing over 80 professionals from all over the country who gave of their time to make the sessions so meaningful.. Tel Aviv was delighted with the diversity of the LA delegation (containing social workers, lawyers, and a judge) and the varied viewpoints they presented.
We have had an amazing week, jam packed with people, places, coffee and cake. The Tel Aviv LA Partnership should be renamed "Birthright for adults"...for those unfamiliar with Birthright, it is an all expense paid ten day trip to Israel for young adults with of Jewish ancestry.
Many of the delegates have attended conferences and been part of US and international delegations, but none expressed having been a part of anything like this. Tel Aviv opened their city to us and shared extraordinary amounts of time and passion. We look forward to staying in touch and building on the work done this week and in welcoming Israeli elder care professionals to LA.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Jerusalem Prays, Tel Aviv Plays, Haifa Works
We were all excited to visit Jerusalem on Wednesday. Our first stop was Yad Sarah, Israel's largest voluntary organization, which provides free or nominal cost services designed to make life easier for sick, disabled, and elderly people and their families. Yad Sarah`s mission is to keep the ill and the elderly in their homes as long as possible. Yad Sarah lends medical and rehabilitative equipment on a short-term basis free of charge to anyone who needs it. The delegation was so impressed with Yad Sarah's services and medical innovative medical equipment that we asked them to open a branch in Los Angeles.
The delegation also met with lawyers from Yad Riva, a non-profit organization that provides free legal assistance to elderly who suffer from various forms of abuse and exploitation. Yad Riva is supported by more than 100 volunteer lawyers throughout Israel. The delegation heard about the organization's efforts to reach the more insular communities in Israel in order to provide their elderly with necessary education and services.
After lunch, the delegation toured Yad Vashem, a museum that is considered the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust. It is dedicated to documentation, research, education, and commemoration of the Holocaust. The museum was designed to give its visitors an emotional, interactive, and visceral experience.
Finally, the delegation arrived in Jerusalem's Old City. The Old City is divided into four quarters: the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian. These four peoples exist side-by-side in space filled with visitors from all over the world. We couldn't believe that we were acutally standing in front of the Wailing Wall! Oh, and there's the Church of the Holy Sepulchre! Is that the Mount of Olives and the Dome of the Rock that I see in the distance? We left Jerusalem feeling awed and satisfied and hoping we would get to return one day.
The delegation also met with lawyers from Yad Riva, a non-profit organization that provides free legal assistance to elderly who suffer from various forms of abuse and exploitation. Yad Riva is supported by more than 100 volunteer lawyers throughout Israel. The delegation heard about the organization's efforts to reach the more insular communities in Israel in order to provide their elderly with necessary education and services.
After lunch, the delegation toured Yad Vashem, a museum that is considered the Jewish people’s living memorial to the Holocaust. It is dedicated to documentation, research, education, and commemoration of the Holocaust. The museum was designed to give its visitors an emotional, interactive, and visceral experience.
Finally, the delegation arrived in Jerusalem's Old City. The Old City is divided into four quarters: the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian. These four peoples exist side-by-side in space filled with visitors from all over the world. We couldn't believe that we were acutally standing in front of the Wailing Wall! Oh, and there's the Church of the Holy Sepulchre! Is that the Mount of Olives and the Dome of the Rock that I see in the distance? We left Jerusalem feeling awed and satisfied and hoping we would get to return one day.
Something Out of Nothing
King Herod knew that maintaining control of Judea meant controlling the land's coast and ports. Unlike those around him, Herod looked out toward the sea and built the port town of Caesarea. Herod transformed the dry, sandy land into a prosperous commercial and residential area with a pier, amphitheater, palace, harbor, temple, and hippodrome. Since Caesarea had no water supply, Herod built a 4.5 mile aqueduct that transported water from the mountains. Caesarea became the main port of Judea for hundreds of years.
The delegation toured the historic ruins of Caesarea and drove north to Haifa, a city known for the harmony among its diverse residents. There, we met with the faculty of the Department of Gerontology at Haifa University. We learned that University created the Department just ten years earlier, when elder abuse first hit the public agenda in Israel. Professor Israel Doron, a lawyer who works with elder protection legislation, and Los Angeles's own Judge Aviva Bobb engaged in a lively debate about the efficacy of mandatory reporting laws. Israeli law mandates that all of its residents report suspected elder abuse only if the suspected victim is helpless (unable to care for his basic needs, health, or safety). California, on the other hand, requires that certain professionals and caregivers report suspected abuse of any elder or dependent adult, not just those who are incapacitated.
The delegation was happy to hear that the Department of Gerontology's masters program was very popular and that it just initiated a PhD program. It appeared that awareness and education about elder abuse had significantly improved since the Department's inception.
The delegation toured the historic ruins of Caesarea and drove north to Haifa, a city known for the harmony among its diverse residents. There, we met with the faculty of the Department of Gerontology at Haifa University. We learned that University created the Department just ten years earlier, when elder abuse first hit the public agenda in Israel. Professor Israel Doron, a lawyer who works with elder protection legislation, and Los Angeles's own Judge Aviva Bobb engaged in a lively debate about the efficacy of mandatory reporting laws. Israeli law mandates that all of its residents report suspected elder abuse only if the suspected victim is helpless (unable to care for his basic needs, health, or safety). California, on the other hand, requires that certain professionals and caregivers report suspected abuse of any elder or dependent adult, not just those who are incapacitated.
The delegation was happy to hear that the Department of Gerontology's masters program was very popular and that it just initiated a PhD program. It appeared that awareness and education about elder abuse had significantly improved since the Department's inception.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Tales From Day Two in Tel Aviv . . .
On the second day of the conference we visited Services for the Elderly office in Central Tel Aviv. A dramatization of a common elder abuse scenario was used to compare and contrast the analysis and responses the Tel Aviv and Los Angeles groups would use to address the abuse. The movie led to interesting discussions on capacity and differences in our reporting laws. We found these themes key in understanding the differences in our legal systems.
In the afternoon, we attended a panel discussion on the bioethical principal of autonomy. Several psychiatrists, an attorney, and a social worker debated the role and importance of autonomy and dignity in elder practice. The Tel Aviv and Los Angeles delegations agreed they both struggled with constitutional and ethical questions surrounding the concepts.
The afternoon was spent touring the Reich Senior Center. This beautiful facility contains state of the art exercise and wellness classes and services. The Center is a bright, spacious venue where older people and their caregivers socialize and participate in various activities. The concept of multiple agencies engaging to keep seniors mentally and physically thriving is alive and well in Tel Aviv.
As the sun set, many of us wandered through the Neve Tzedek neighborhood of Tel Aviv, window shopping in small boutiques and dining in quaint cafes lining narrow streets. This area was slated to be torn down and replaced with high rise buildings. After much protest it was saved and renovated. It is a wonderful example of Aging in Place, with some rehabilitation and attention to the aging houses and infrastructure, the area is thriving. So too, are the elders of Tel Aviv, who are able to age in place by remaining in their homes and taking advantage of the abundance of social services and free medical care…are you watching Los Angeles?
They say that Israelis are like the prickly pear . . .
They say that Israelis are like the prickly pear – rough on the outside, but sweet on the inside. The many Israelis in the business of protecting elders, however, are sweet all they way through. The compassion and empathy that drives their work is abundant and inspirational.
The first day of our conference began with a greeting from Tel Aviv's mayor, Ron Huldai, and presentations from Tel Aviv's Health, Human Services & Welfare Administration. We spoke with social workers, lawyers, doctors, and administrators who provide services to the "helpless," defined by law as those unable to care for their basic needs, health, or safety. From these presentations we learned that Israel's elderly suffer from the same abuse as those in Los Angeles and that the involved agencies respond with similar actions and limitations.
Though Israel's laws protecting the helpless are comprehensive, our initial impression was that social workers provide the most assistance, problem solving, and support for the helpless. This impression finds grounding in the overwhelming percentage of Israeli social workers participating in the conference.
After the presentations and discussions, the delegation visited Café Europa – one of the four in Israel – which provides a weekly social event for Holocaust survivors. (The Israelis graciously and repeatedly credited Los Angeles for creating Café Europa). At the Café, the delegation members danced and talked with the survivors. We heard beautiful musical performances from talented elders, and left feeling moved and invigorated.
Our day ended with dinner and a performance at Nalaga'at, a non-profit organization dedicated to offering a stage and employment to deaf-blind, deaf, and blind people. We dined at Nalaga'at's restaurant, BlackOut, where the servers are blind and the diners eat in complete darkness. As we ate dinner with the assistance of our wonderful servers, we were given the invaluable experience of being blind for one hour. The actors in the after-dinner performance at Nalaga'at's theater were deaf-blind. We were amazed at how the performers were able to rely completely on touch and vibration to live, communicate, and work.
If the members of the Los Angeles delegation had before this day been losing site of the reasons we work to protect the elderly and disabled, the Israelis succeeded in reminding us.
The first day of our conference began with a greeting from Tel Aviv's mayor, Ron Huldai, and presentations from Tel Aviv's Health, Human Services & Welfare Administration. We spoke with social workers, lawyers, doctors, and administrators who provide services to the "helpless," defined by law as those unable to care for their basic needs, health, or safety. From these presentations we learned that Israel's elderly suffer from the same abuse as those in Los Angeles and that the involved agencies respond with similar actions and limitations.
Though Israel's laws protecting the helpless are comprehensive, our initial impression was that social workers provide the most assistance, problem solving, and support for the helpless. This impression finds grounding in the overwhelming percentage of Israeli social workers participating in the conference.
After the presentations and discussions, the delegation visited Café Europa – one of the four in Israel – which provides a weekly social event for Holocaust survivors. (The Israelis graciously and repeatedly credited Los Angeles for creating Café Europa). At the Café, the delegation members danced and talked with the survivors. We heard beautiful musical performances from talented elders, and left feeling moved and invigorated.
Our day ended with dinner and a performance at Nalaga'at, a non-profit organization dedicated to offering a stage and employment to deaf-blind, deaf, and blind people. We dined at Nalaga'at's restaurant, BlackOut, where the servers are blind and the diners eat in complete darkness. As we ate dinner with the assistance of our wonderful servers, we were given the invaluable experience of being blind for one hour. The actors in the after-dinner performance at Nalaga'at's theater were deaf-blind. We were amazed at how the performers were able to rely completely on touch and vibration to live, communicate, and work.
If the members of the Los Angeles delegation had before this day been losing site of the reasons we work to protect the elderly and disabled, the Israelis succeeded in reminding us.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)