Q & A
Does Herzog Hospital accept volunteers?
Herzog Hospital welcomes volunteers from Israel and volunteers visiting from overseas. There are a variety of ways in which volunteers can contribute at Herzog:
• Assist the nursing staff in the daily care of the patients
• Keep patients company – walk them, talk with them, read to them
• Assistance in research
• Volunteers with paramedical training can contribute their professional expertise
Please note: Volunteers must be over 18 years old in order to be able to volunteer at the Hospital. We require a minimum volunteering period in Israel of one month for overseas volunteers. It is also possible to volunteer overseas: Herzog Hospital has several Friends Groups around the world, that would greatly appreciate any help a volunteer may offer. If you wish to learn how you can help us in this important work, click on the link on the left.
Who do you help?
Herzog hospital is the third largest hospital in the Greater Jerusalem area, specializing in Geriatrics and Mental Health. The Hospital has in-house departments, out-patient clinics. The Hospital treats patients from all walks of Israeli life: Jews, Christians, Moslems, native Israelis as well as new comers to the country.
Do you have any travel tips for the elderly?
Tourism and travel have become a popular consumer item, and the enjoyment of a person’s leisure time is one of the hallmarks of modern life. It is a myth to suggest that the senior population is aged, sedentary, housebound or has no particular needs or wants. On the contrary, this age group has its own well defined needs and wishes, and older people can sometimes surprise their younger colleagues with their energy and persistence. At the same time, one needs to recognize the changes that occur as a result of increased age. But since these changes are predictable, it is possible to take part in activities, as long as the limitations imposed by these changes are kept in mind, and taken into consideration.
What should I do in order to arrange for hospitalization at Herzog?
In order to arrange for hospitalization at Herzog (before the patient is transferred), the family representative should come to the cashier (Finance Department) at Herzog with the following documents: 1) Own identity card 2) Patient’s identity card 3) Guarantee for hospitalization (from HMO, insurance company etc.) After the requisite formalities, the patient will be admitted, in collaboration with the relevant department in the Hospital. A patient who remains after the time stipulated by the medical staff, or whose insurance runs out, will be liable for the entire cost of the additional time in the Hospital. Opening times for the cashier (Finance Department) are: Sunday – Thursday: 08.00 – 16.00 Questions can be referred to tel: 02-531 6838 or 02-531 6837 A patient who is referred to Herzog must have a guarantee from the HMO. This guarantee must be presented to the cashier (Finance Department) not later than one day before the authorized patient is admitted. Care should be taken to ensure that this guarantee covers the entire period of hospitalization. Failure to produce this guarantee, or production of only a partial guarantee, will render the patient or the family liable for the full payment.
My father wants to stay at home despite his illness. Is it possible?
Herzog Hospital provides a unique service: the Home Palliative Care Unit. This service allows the elderly and terminally ill to remain at their home and receive medical treatment and care in their familiar and comfortable surroundings, thus reducing the stress and anxiety they would experience by hospitalization. These patients are cared for by a team comprised of Herzog Hospital’s staff, which includes a physician, a nurse and a social worker. If and when the need for hospitalization does arise, the patient would be admitted to Herzog, and be treated by the staff that already knows him or her and is familiar with that particular patient’s medical history. This reduces the patient’s stress and anxiety and allows a more rapid and accurate treatment, by staff that the patient knows. Also, the team is available for the patients, their family members and care-givers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any emergency, or even just for questions and inquiries.
