Support Families with Special Needs in Palestine

Most of our residents yearn for more time at home to be with  their siblings, and parents, to feel again that they part of the household in which they grew up.  They long to return to those with whom they lived until their disabilities became more than the family could handle on more than a short-term basis. Any time at home is a precious gift.
 
Thanks to YOUR help, the Homes works to foster, support, and sometimes as needed, re-establish the family ties.  When family members visit, we respond to questions, and, as needed, demonstrate skills—such as feeding, transferring, toileting, bathing, and communicating, —the family will need when the resident is home.   We hold workshops as needed by family members to provide essential skills. For instance:
   
Some of our residents have difficulty swallowing, and can only eat pureed food.  Choking is always a danger.  Homes’ staff teach family members  not only how to prepare nutritious pureed meals, but also how and feed their loved one  safely, and what to do in the event of choking.  increases the family’s skill and reduces their fear of causing choking.
 
Some residents need encouragement to try a new activity, a new food,  or even to move to a different room.   Staff model the reassuring hug and gentle pace to inspire the needed courage to try something new.
 
Some residents need stimulation to prevent them from simply staring into space for long periods of time.   Staff show the family how a toy that has lights and sound brings joy—and a new experience.  The family can borrow the toy for the home visit. 
 
Some  residents have no transportation, so the Homes takes that person home via our van.  Riding in the van, seeing people going about their daily activities, is clearly a treat. 
 
Unlike earlier days when families simply left their resident with us and disappeared,  with the support and encouragement of staff, most of our residents go home for the two major feasts, and for other weekends.  These visits have minimized the depression of some of our residents.    Their smiles when they see family coming to take them home are incandescent!
 
Please know what an enormous difference you have made in the lives of our special people!