Outreach to the elderly in Israel: Service delivery issues

Only during recent years have outreach services to elderly Israelis been given serious priority by governmental social service agencies. A survey of 21 social service agencies in northern and central Israel was conducted in 1980 in order to review these outreach services. The survey identified operational definitions of outreach service, the distinctive characteristics of such services, major problems and barriers to effective outreach, and the training of outreach workers. The authors discuss issues related to effectiveness, personnel staffing, the follow-up aspect of outreach and professional training. Not only Israeli service providers can benefit from a review of the findings and discussion, but also the directors of outreach in other countries can learn about essential tasks and requirements for service delivery.