Following the Black Saturday tragedy on October 7, Israeli legislation continues to evolve, introducing new groups of victims and expanding government assistance options.
The Ministry of Welfare and Social Security has announced a program aimed at providing support and assistance to elderly individuals who have lost their grandchildren due to hostilities and terrorist attacks.
Under this program, seniors will receive support from social workers, social services personnel, and therapists.
Previously, assistance packages were primarily directed at immediate family members of the deceased. However, the events of October 7 underscored the need for support for "second-degree" relatives as well.
In response to the aftermath of Black Saturday, the Ministry's Department for Elder Care actively engages in assisting those who lost grandchildren.
Recognizing the unique needs and challenges faced by elderly individuals, specialists developed an adapted assistance program tailored to their requirements.
The assistance program includes individual emotional and psychological therapy, as well as the establishment of support groups consisting of 8 to 15 participants, accompanied by a psychologist, for 10-20 sessions with the option to extend therapy.
Grandparents who have lost their grandchildren are encouraged to participate in these programs.
The program is set to launch in the coming weeks through social services departments in local municipalities, ensuring that older individuals receive the necessary assistance in their communities, social housing complexes, care homes, and evacuation centers.
