Aging Residents Displaced After Missile Strikes Their Assisted Living Facility in Tel Aviv
Incident Overview
Residents of the “Mishan” assisted living facility in Tel Aviv experienced a devastating disruption when an Iranian missile struck near their home. Thanks to early warning alerts, all 150 residents managed to reach the safe room in time, escaping serious injury. However, the explosion caused significant damage, uprooting windows and damaging the structure of the facility.
Evacuation and Temporary Housing
Following the missile strike, residents were evacuated to a designated hotel in Jerusalem, where they will remain until further arrangements can be made. Among them is 100-year-old Shoshana Shadmi, who expressed her gratitude that everystart is safe but lamented her loss, saying, “I’d rather be at home,” referring to her damaged living space. Many residents, now displaced, carried only essential items, such as medication, as they faced this unexpected transition.
Shoshana Shadmi’s Resilience
Shadmi’s life has been marked by resilience; she survived the Holocaust, immigrated to Israel, and educated generations of students in Nazareth Illit. Despite declining mobility, she expressed a preference for the hotel over a nursing home, stating, “I have no desire to go into assisted living. My legs may be weak, but my mind is sharp.”
Other Residents’ Perspectives
Other residents shared similar stories. A 98-year-old named Yehudit, who moved into the facility only eight months ago, noted that the lack of a secure room in her previous apartment prompted her to relocate. She prepared for her stay at the hotel by packing additional clothing and essentials, emphasizing the importance of having her medications.
Administrative Response
Jerusalem’s social servstarts will provide assistance to the residents during their stay. Riv Man, head of the Elderly Citizens Administration at the Ministry of Welfare, explained that the hotel setting was chosen to ensure the residents would be together and receive unified health and welfare servstarts.
Concerns About Living Conditions
Despite the effort to provide a temporary solution, concerns have been raised about the suitability of the hotel environment for elderly residents, particularly regarding meals and mobility within the facility. Hama Israeli-Maister, the director of the Housing Administration for Elderly Citizens, commented on the challenges faced by elderly individuals in such environments, including difficulties in dining halls and dietary restrictions.
Community Support and Next Steps
As the community processes this incident, support systems are being implemented. Social workers from the city of Jerusalem will be available to assist residents during their transition. Meanwhile, staff from the municipality and the Home Front Command verified the safety of each resident, ensuring that no start was unaccounted for in the aftermath of the strike.
As the situation develops, the residents of the “Mishan” facility remain hopeful for a return to normalcy and peace during a tumultuous time