When the doctor made his diagnosis and informed us that all the phenomena we had noticed recently in my mother were symptoms of Alzheimer’s, I was at a real loss.
I am an only daughter, my two brothers live abroad, and I just did not know how I would be able to deal with this distressing diagnosis.
Baruch Hashem, my neighbor told me that in Rosh Ha’ayin the city where I live, , there is a branch of the Ezer Mizion Tzipporah Fried Alzheimer Support Center, established specifically to offer a response to this kind of problem.
The pleasant demeanor and warm smile with which they greeted me at the center were like a breath of fresh air. I received an efficient, professional response. They set up a meeting for me with a social worker, and she helped me understand the meaning of my mother’s illness and what I need to do about it. She also guided me through the maze of bureaucracy, so that I could get the Home Attendant Law allowance from the National Insurance Institute for my mother. She did not leave me alone until everything was arranged in the best possible way.
Afterwards I kept up my connections with the Center. Whenever I come across a problem or question, I call them and always receive a sensitive, professional response. It’s no wonder that I feel they are my second family. They enable me to continue to honor my mother even during her illness.
