45% of the elderly population in Israel live alone and isolated -the number is even higher in Jerusalem. Some of these elders – including those who do not have Alzheimer's disease - have specific needs but no one to help them meet these needs. Moked 109 volunteers contact these elders on a regular, predetermined basis, to check on their welfare and help them deal with their specific needs. Melabev has incorporated the existing 109 telephone reassurance service into the Melabev range of activities, preventing its closure, and has totally revamped it under the driving energy of its director Cochav Cohen.
The membership list of elders who receive Moked 109 service has tripled in the last six months, as have the praises for the service. "You are like my family" says a woman who received help with home repairs. Another man waits impatiently for his morning phone call - he has no other caller or family member to make him feel that someone cares about him.
The volunteers, who come from all walks of life, and all age groups, get immediate rewards for the few hours they dedicate to the "moked". The elders on the other side of the phone bless them - "your telephone call is life saving", " you are wonderful", " Thank you so much for calling." It's amazing how a simple phone call can make the difference in a persons life.
“During this holiday season when other services close down, we will make sure that at least those elders who have no family at all will still get called” says Cochav. The Moked is actively looking for volunteers of all ages who want to help in any way to make sure this cost effective program continues to expand. Please call 1-700-700-109 and be a part of this program.
maybe you could give two sentences about how yitav 109 was started, and name the founders? it would be an act of great kavod and an easy mitzvah to do.... if you need the info, i would be happy to supply it.
arnie draiman
www.draimanconsulting.com