the best ears of our life.

ission members. However, they
greed, expanding opportunities for
olunteers is an area that needs more
nvestigation.
The "abba" program at Migdal
aEmek has no real equivalent in the
etroit metropolitan area.
Designed for older adults who want
ro remain in their own homes, being
n abba is a paying job that requires a
igh level of patience and the toler-
ce for being awakened in the middle
f the night. Being handy with a set of
r ower tools also is helpful.
For instance, there's an easy way to
ut down on potentially dangerous falls
n the bedroom, said Sheyna Wexelberg-
louser, director of community outreach
or Jewish Home and Aging Services,
ased in West Bloomfield. Simply lower
e height of the bed, she said.
"You end up recommending someone
hould cut down the legs of their bed.
ven if you convince them to do it, then
ou have to find someone to do it," said
exelberg-Clouser.
That's not always easy to do in the
nited States.
A person who is enrolled in Israel's
upportive Community Program sim-
ly calls the community abba. In addi-
on to doing odd jobs and acting as
advocate for clients, the abba is also
n call, day and night, when a client is
aving medical problems.
Yad Sarah and the Supportive
mmunity Program are only two of
e options for supplementary care that
e Detroit-area eldercare workers saw in
srael. But Israeli professionals will also
earn quite a bit from COJES when they
'sit this spring, Wexelberg-Clouser said.
"Part of the problem in Israel is they
•on't have one-stop shopping," she
aid. "It's pretty much accepted here.
ere, you call Elderlink (a COJES
rogram that coordinates agency ser-
ices) and they don't just send meals,
i. ut also check [to see] if you need help
ith such needs as taking medicine,
aching and other activities."
She also had questions on how ser-
ices to older adults were monitored
n Israel.
Actually being in Israel and seeing
ldercare services first-hand gave a much
etter picture than using telephones or
-mail, Wexelberg-Clouser said.
When she left Israel in 1976, after
orking for two years as a social work-
r, the country hardly had any services
or seniors.
"Going back there now I know
hat's there; I understand the struc-
ure," she said. "It gave us all this
rame of reference we wouldn't have
ad otherwise." O

You are invited to our

Spring Open House

Thursday, April 6 / 4-7 p.m.
With Refreshments and Live Entertainment

For more information,

Call (248) 353-2810

oving to THE FOUNTAINS AT FRANKLIN in beautiful Southfield means
you can enjoy a continuum of retirement services and wealth of amenities.

• A health and wellness program

• A close-knit community of friendly neighbors
• Newly remodeled one- and two-bedroom
apartments with spacious floor plans

• Affordable rental fees

• Fine dining

• Choose from a variety of tailored
programs and activities

If you're looking for retirement living, assisted living or Alzheimer's care, you'll
find it at THE FOUNTAINS AT FRANKLIN.

can (248) 353-2810 today.

THE FOUNTAINS

AT FRANKLIN

Retirement Living • Assisted Living
Alzheimer s Care

EQUAL HOUSING

28301 Franklin Road • Southfield, Michigan 48034

DJNO33100

www thefo untains. co m

3/31

2000

25