A fascinating and exciting symposium took place for Ezer Mizion volunteers where Project Homecoming was launched to serve the Sharon region.

Project Homecoming addresses the needs of the elderly and infirm who are about to be released following hospitalization in Meir Hospital in Kfar Sabba.

The project trains Ezer Mizion volunteers to emotionally and technically "embrace" senior citizens who are released home following hospitalization. Volunteers are matched and referred to the elderly by  a team comprised of hospital social workers and Ezer Mizion staff. Priority will be given to cases where there is no family to provide support and assistance during rehabilitation and hospital-to-home transition period.

The symposium was organized by Ms. Tamar Matzrafi, director of Ezer Mizion's Meir Hospital branch. Ms. Michal Panochek, Meir Hospital Nursing Supervisor, and Ms. Barbara Rabin, Director of the Hospital's social services, presented the ground-breaking concept. 

Their basic premise was that the patient's natural place is in his home. Therefore, the transition from hospitalization to home should be facilitated and eased as much as possible. In spearheading this project, the Meir Hospital serves as a pioneer, leading the way for other medical establishments in the country.

"We are an 800 bed facility, but we try to function like a small hospital insofar as the personal attention we provide for every single patient," Ponchek explained.

Barbara Rabin spoke about project plans to define patients' personal details and their needs, in the goal of ensuring maximum success in matching them up with volunteers.

Rabbi Chananya Chollak, International Chairman of Ezer Mizion, focused on the feelings of helplessness and isolation experienced by the childless patients returning to their homes. At times, even the thought of going back to their lonely living conditions is unbearable.

Orit Raz, mentoring director in Ezer Mizion's home care attendants division, raised many aspects of the life of the elderly. As she explained, many such patients tend to return to the hospital, not because of a medical problem, but rather for the attention they receive there.

Raz reviewed the steady regression that takes place in the elderly person with the passing years in the various functional areas. She stressed, "Every senior is a world of his own, and our relationship to him has to be in keeping with his individuality."