Israel’s growing senior population is gaining attention at the top: Social Services Minister Haim Katz has announced the creation of 83 new senior citizen enrichment centers to be added to the current network.
Katz said at a news briefing Tuesday the new “mofet” centers are being added as part of the process to improve quality of life for seniors in Israel.
“Caring for the elderly in low-income situations will be a priority in the social services ministry,” said Katz. “These centers provide a response to poverty for these senifors, as well as a response to poor nutrition, loneliness and neglect. We will continue to work towards improving their lives and helping them to live with dignity.”
At present there are 164 such enrichment centers serving some 5,000 senior citizens in Israel. Services to the older population include counseling on their legal rights and government benefits, as well as hot meals served on site along with social and cultural programming.