The Blog From the Heart

When families search for help with an aging parent in Israel, they're often overwhelmed by unfamiliar healthcare systems, caregivers, government benefits, and difficult decisions. In this behind-the-scenes look at geriatric care management, Sharon Beth-Halachmy shares what it truly takes to coordinate compassionate elder care in Israel—revealing how experienced care managers guide families through every challenge with expertise, advocacy, and genuine compassion.

Summer, simchas, and family reunions bring moments of joy—but for many families with aging parents in Israel, they also reveal the hidden challenges of long-distance caregiving. In this heartfelt reflection, Sharon Beth-Halachmy explores the emotional and practical realities of supporting elderly parents across continents, offering insight, understanding, and gentle guidance for families navigating care from afar.

Like all employees in Israel, foreign caregivers are entitled to take off 9 paid holidays per year. Here’s how it works: Designation of Holidays At the beginning of employment, caregivers should specify which holidays they wish to observe for the duration of their employment. Caregivers may choose to observe either the calendar of their country or Israel’s national holidays. Payment for Work on Holidays If a caregiver works on a designated holiday (rather than take it off), t

“Mom always liked you best!” went the old Smothers Brothers comedy routine. Sibling rivalries. Dating back to the story of Cain and Abel, they are deeply woven into the tapestry of human interaction. Most fervent in early years — children vying for the love and attention of a parent — they tend to fade as siblings carve out their niches in adulthood. But later, as aging parents begin to need care, sibling rivalries can unexpectedly resurface — coloring decisions about care an

Israel boasts a highly developed (and heavily subsidized) system of live-in care that enables seniors to age in place and maintain maximum independence, even when they require full assistance in their activities of daily living. Stories abound of kind, compassionate and skilled caregivers who become like family members, caring for elderly loved ones as if they were their own parents. But there are also heartbreaking stories – stories of neglect and abuse, undetected in a hom

August is peak time for flying: an opportunity to get away from it all, enjoy new scenery and create memories. But for a person with cognitive impairment, unfamiliar environments and routines of travel can be disorienting, which can make flying challenging. Still, with thoughtful preparation and patience, it’s possible to have a positive journey. Here are some tips: Get Medical Clearance Before making travel plans, consult with your loved one’s physician for advice as to whe

Permits and payments and pensions, oh my! The process of hiring a foreign caregiver can be daunting. Here is what you need to know: Permit To hire a foreign caregiver, you will need to obtain a Permit (“heiter hasaka”) from the Israel Ministry of Population and Immigration. Permits are granted only to Individuals living in the community (i.e., their own home or independent living facilities referred to as “diyur moogan”) who require full-time care or supervision and who meet

(This article originally appeared in The Jerusalem Post.) Remember the movie Yours, Mine and Ours? Based loosely on a real-life family, the comedy-drama told the story of two widowers who fell in love and married, ultimately “blending” their combined 18 (!) children into one big happy family. Of course, there were all sorts of issues along the way – but in true Hollywood fashion, it all worked out in the end. Having guided tens of families through the maze of caring for aging

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Chanukah in Israel is a special time; a full week plus of dancing lights, fancy donuts, songs and games. Whether your tradition is to fry up some latkes, sufganiyot, or sfinj, most everyone shares the tradition of getting together for a family Chanukah celebration. But let’s admit it, holiday festivities often come with their share of stress – even more so when you have a parent or loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia. Ada

“When you comin’ home dad?” “I don’t know when But we’ll get together then. You know we’ll have a good time then…” -Cat’s in the Cradle, Harry Chapin As care management professionals, my team and I have worked with hundreds of adult children grappling with the challenges of caring for an aging parent. Every family comes with its own personality, its own history, and its own family dynamic. But one situation is particularly complex, and more common than one may think: an adul

“The real gift of care management is for people to know there is help when they need it, because the needs often come on suddenly and it’s very overwhelming.” – Sharon Beth Halachmy We’re delighted to share this recent article on B’Lev Shalem that appeared in New Jersey’s largest Jewish weekly, the Jewish Standard, as well as in The Times of Israel. The article describes our services, such as helping elderly parents make Aliyah, and features a few of our amazing Care managers

In August 2022 individuals logging into the Bituach Leumi website noticed that requirements regarding Bituach Leumi (National Insurance) payments for foreign caregivers had changed. Unfortunately, but the instructions regarding the change were contradictory and confusing. Of late, however, employers and agencies have received written notice of the change and its effective date. Here is what you need to know: As of August 2022, every employer must make Bituach Leumi payments f

The “sandwich generation” is a rapidly-growing group of people that are “sandwiched” between taking care of family members and trying to hold a job. According to the Pew Research Center, 23% of adults in the US are now part of the “sandwich generation,” a rapidly-growing group of people “sandwiched” between caring for multiple generations of family members and trying to hold a job or navigate a career, all with little or no support. The emotional, financial and physical dema

(This article originally appeared in The Times of Israel.) As our parents age, one of the most important decisions they will need to make is where they age. Should they stay in their existing home? Downsize to a smaller place? Move to a retirement community? Move to another neighborhood, town, or even country? There are many factors to consider – family, lifestyle, available resources and budget, and present and future care needs. It can make your head spin! Want to increase

(This article originally appeared in The Times of Israel.) The time is now to put systems in place to care for aging loved ones when you can’t be there. Beginning with the fifth commandment to “honor thy mother and father,” the desire to care for our parents as they age is deeply rooted in Jewish religion and culture. Historically, it was a family affair: three generations routinely lived together, collectively caring for parents, grandparents and other elderly relatives. But

“I am executing an Enduring Power of Attorney. Can my daughter who doesn’t live in Israel be appointed as an agent?” Yes, but…. she will need to sign the POA in the presence of an Israeli lawyer. Until recently, this meant either signing the POA when the person was visiting Israel or finding an Israeli attorney in the person’s locale and signing in his or her presence. Someone living in a large city, say Los Angeles or New York, could usually find someone who fits the bill.

Are you planning Aliyah for an elderly loved one? Israel is a wonderful place for seniors, but setting everything up can be complex and overwhelming. Careful thinking and advance care planning play a big role in a successful transition: In this webinar, Avigail Buiumsohn, Aliyah Specialist at B’Lev Shalem, provides practical answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, including: How soon can I bring my parent to Israel? Will all of my parent’s medical care be cov

Whether your elderly parents live in Israel or are planning Aliyah, we can’t stress enough the importance of them signing a full set of Israeli legal documents that will allow them to articulate their wishes and empower a trusted person to help with administrative matters and to facilitate decision-making if there comes a time that they can’t make decisions for themselves (temporarily or permanently). In this informative webinar with B’Lev Shalem, Miriam Shatsky, Adv. discus

Ask anyone who has done it, the process of hiring a foreign caregiver in Israel is daunting. Beyond the bureaucracy of applying for a permit, “Chok Siyud” (Bituach Leumi’s long-term care benefits) and other related benefits, the real challenge is finding the right match. The hiring process is a little like a matchmaking service – asking the right questions in the interview will increase the odds of a good fit. Here are some tips: Breaking the Ice Just like any new relationsh

Communicating with someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia can be challenging. Your loved one may have difficulty expressing her or himself or understanding you, and you may have a hard time understanding what she or he is trying to communicate. There’s potential for misunderstanding, confusion or frustration in both directions, which in turn makes communication even more difficult. But there are strategies to learn and improve communication skills that wil