35 The Elderly: • Helping the Frail Elderly o Jerusalem (page 35) o All Over the USA - Dignity and Comfortable Mobility (p. 36) o New York - Project Ezra (p. 37) o Boca Raton § Helping Seniors in Many Ways (p. 38) § Senior Assistance Program (p. 39-40) • Holocaust Survivor Programs o Israel – Northern Galilee (p. 41) o Israel – Hod HaSharon (p. 42) o South Palm Beach Country (p. 43) Helping the Frail Elderly – Jerusalem In 1989, the privately owned, formerly posh, 520 room Diplomat Hotel in Jerusalem was appropriated by the Absorption Ministry for Soviet immigrants. It quickly became “a five-star slum” and today it is categorized as “sheltered housing.” 2/3 of its residents are between 75 and 102 including 50 frail elderly who cannot go out alone to shop or go to the doctor themselves. A dedicated volunteer named Alice started and runs 2 programs: one which pays for home-care and assistance to the residents who need help with transportation to doctors and other errands, and a “Basic Needs” program that prevents seniors from having to choose between food, dental care, prescriptions and prosthetics. In the last 12 months HOT gave $6,000 in grants for the “Home-care and Transportation” program and $8,600 for the “Basic Needs” program. The Diplomat’s wish list includes: • $3,000 for refreshments for a weekly social program that brings some enjoyment to the lives of the 50 elderly shut-ins. • $10,000 for the Basic Needs Program so that no senior should have to choose between food, dental care, prescriptions and a prosthetic.