{"id":1138,"date":"2021-01-10T17:27:01","date_gmt":"2021-01-10T15:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thejoint.org.il\/en\/?p=1138"},"modified":"2021-01-10T18:49:35","modified_gmt":"2021-01-10T16:49:35","slug":"2020-in-review-from-crisis-to-opportunity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thejoint.org.il\/en\/2020-in-review-from-crisis-to-opportunity\/","title":{"rendered":"2020 in Review: From Crisis to Opportunity"},"content":{"rendered":"

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in Israel last March created a new and different reality. The crisis has dramatic medical, social and economic consequences, so it is important to identify and generate opportunities for the most vulnerable populations in Israeli society so they can emerge stronger<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shaul Chen, 77, from the coastal city of Netanya has had difficulty standing on his feet for many years. Like many older adults experiencing functional deterioration, lockdowns have exacerbated his limitations by increasing isolation.<\/p>\n

Prior to the pandemic, Joint-Eshel, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, launched a network of geriatric rehabilitation centers to help older adults facing a decline in functional ability. This enables people like Shaul to be more proficient and live as independently as possible. But the startling spread of COVID-19 required a change in strategy, transforming this in-person service into a virtual one by providing rehabilitation services remotely.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was approached about remote rehab, I was very skeptical,\u201d says Faina Katz, a physiotherapist at one of the Joint\u2019s Community-Based Rehabilitation Centers. \u201cTaking away physical contact from a physiotherapist is like taking his profession away. But when there is no choice, you try; and we got used to it and succeeded. It requires other ways of working and you have to learn new skills, but it pays off.\u201d<\/p>\n