Caring for Holocaust Survivors

Survivors overwhelmingly want to age at home. However, having freedom of choice, such as deciding where to live, largely depends on physical health — itself shaped by: 

• Mental health
• Financial stability
• Social connection

Institutional living for survivors can be especially painful and destabilizing due to their past trauma. Therefore, it’s vital that we steady these pillars of wellness so setbacks don’t spiral into crises that could threaten independence. Through holistic case management and care plans shaped around each survivor’s wishes and needs, they stay healthier and empowered to make their own decisions.

Trauma doesn’t fade with age. The horror of the Holocaust manifests today as chronic PTSD for many. Isolation during Covid and the rise in antisemitism have magnified the trauma. These stressors can quickly destabilize a survivor, making independent living unsafe and options far more limited. 

Specialized counselors provide culturally sensitive, trauma-informed care tailored to the needs of aging Holocaust survivors. In a safe space, they begin to heal unresolved trauma. Reclaiming agency and control restores confidence, strengthens relationships, and supports physical health.

Roughly 40% of survivors live in or near poverty — compared to just 10% of the general senior population. Inflation, declining health, and unplanned expenses can cause sudden setbacks. For too many, survival means impossible choices.

Emergency cash assistance covers urgent needs like health care, medical equipment, or home repairs. This prevents a cash shortfall, so no survivor goes without essentials.

Many survivors lost their families in the Holocaust, leaving them with few relatives in later life. Today, nearly three times more survivors in Israel live alone compared with other seniors. Loneliness and isolation can be as devastating as illness, magnifying trauma and accelerating decline.

Gatherings in the community and home visits for the homebound bring connection wherever survivors are. Strong social ties keep seniors active, engaged, and informed — improving health and even longevity.  

Survivors often face urgent challenges beyond mental health, financial stability, and social connection. Food insecurity, difficulty enrolling in health insurance or applying for reparations payments, landlord disputes, and other crises can all threaten stability and independence. Left unaddressed, these problems can quickly escalate.

Case management connects survivors to support that addresses these needs — from securing daily essentials to navigating benefits systems like Medicare and Medicaid. This safety net reinforces overall health in many ways.