Avraham Bar David, globes.co.il.
Following the International Elderly Day held this month (October 1), there is nothing to wonder about the lack of discourse on the state of the elderly in the last two election campaigns that has befallen us. Parties on all sides of the political map have not raised the issue to the public agenda, not least have placed it as a significant point in their political platform. All of this is very infuriating, given recent data showing that in just 25 years, no less than 15% of the population will be 65 or older.
"The future belongs to young people" is a statement that many people have in their minds, but the reality is different: According to the OECD, one of the key challenges the modern world will face is the aging of the population. The organization reported that the share of the elderly population in developed countries increased on average more than twice every ten years. In itself, this reality will not be a problem unless the State of Israel is unable to care for proper living conditions and the rights of its older citizens.
It was recently announced that the PMO is working on recommendations to remove barriers in employment after retirement and to help third year-olds learn and volunteer more. This is a step in the right direction, but apart from recommendations, it is also important to implement - and soon. There are also many other issues that require treatment such as poverty, health and housing. It is important to note that not only do disadvantaged populations face the challenge, but also the third year-olds who have meticulously accumulated savings to live their later years in welfare. A great example of this is the sheltered housing tenants.
At the third age, after retiring, many Israeli adults give up the opportunity to own their own apartment - some for economic reasons and some for health and social reasons. All of these leads them into sheltered housing, but much needs to be done to make this solution suitable and possible for everyone who needs it.
The "Sheltered Housing Law" that was enacted more than 7 years ago is far from guaranteeing the financial or health security of the elderly in sheltered housing. It remains "toothless" because, from the time of its enactment to the present, it has not had the requisite regulations, so many cannot be enforced and implemented. In addition, there are holes and holes, and there are factors that exploit this fact.
A painful example is the VAT payments. Protected housing tenants are the only people in Israel who pay VAT on rent. In addition, VAT on erosion of the deposit and reflective VAT, all of which are unjustified, and all are emptied of tenants' bill of tens of thousands of shekels each year. This is a heavy burden, and the state should deal with the issue in order to save the large financial expense to tenants.
It is also worth noting that the vast majority of clinics located in sheltered housing are out of sync with tenants' hospitals. This condition - in which the elderly treat two different clinics that are not in contact with each other - can result in incorrect treatment, double treatment and even end in disaster. Many years of effort and discussion have been devoted to solving the problem, to no avail. The Ministry of Health and the HMOs must lift the glove and do what is necessary to remedy the condition, which makes it very difficult for elderly patients. There are many other issues that require urgent care.
International Elderly Day is an opportunity to make a mental statement and to internalize that in the not too distant future, the Israeli population will be comprised of a large chunk of older citizens who will only grow. Therefore, the citizens of Israel also need to sound a cry. If the State of Israel does not already address the challenges and prepare the ground for demographic changes that will happen very soon, we will have a very big problem. The indifference and drag of our feet will eventually cost us dearly.