Knowledge, tools and a safer life • A unique conference for Haifa's veteran citizens ◄ Watch

(haipo) – In a unique collaboration between the Israel Police (Communities and Volunteers Division), the Department for Senior Citizens in the Welfare Department of the Haifa Municipality, and the Pensioners' Lobby in the City Council – a special conference was held today (Tuesday, 20/5/25) aimed at promoting the safety and well-being of the city's senior residents.

Approximately 400 participants took part in the event, which was held in a warm and respectful atmosphere, and included a series of lectures and the presentation of up-to-date and practical information. The conference sought to provide practical tools for maintaining the quality of life of the elderly population, while emphasizing issues related to personal safety and protection from fraud.

Life-saving information: avoiding scams and stings

The centerpiece of the conference was an important and enriching lecture given by Superintendent Revital Yehoshua of the Israel Police, who dealt with ways to identify and prevent scams and stings targeting senior citizens.

Deputy Chief Eyal Shahar, commander of the Haifa police station, emphasized in his remarks the great importance of holding conferences of this type - both in terms of strengthening the connection between the police and the community and in making essential information accessible that can actually maintain the personal safety of the elderly.

Fire Caution: Essential Safety Guidelines for Seniors

Another important topic discussed at the conference was fire safety in the home, with an emphasis on the elderly population. Shai Greenberg, a representative of the information branch in the Fire and Rescue Authority's spokesperson division, gave a focused lecture on fire prevention and dealing with emergency situations.

Greenberg emphasized the great importance of awareness and simple measures that can save lives – from adhering to basic safety rules in the kitchen, to installing smoke detectors, to knowing the emergency actions to take in the event of a fire. He said that senior citizens in particular may be more exposed to the dangers of fire, and therefore knowing the risks and the tools to deal with them is critical for them.

Fraud Protection: A Municipal Initiative for Senior Citizens

One of the most prominent difficulties faced by senior citizens, as mentioned, is the issue of financial fraud. Ahuva Winograd, Deputy Director of the Senior Citizens Department at the Haifa Municipality, addressed the issue in detail at the conference, and presented a series of actions being taken in the city to protect senior residents.

According to Winograd, the collaboration with the Welfare Department in the Haifa Municipality is a vital key in raising awareness and providing practical tools for dealing with fraud attempts. Winograd also introduced a new municipal initiative, run by volunteers, which aims to provide guidance, advice and assistance to seniors who are at risk or who have fallen victim to fraud.

From the conference – to life itself

To better understand the practical contribution of the conference, I spoke with two of the participants – Shosh Doak and Ilana Carmel. The two shared their feelings about the special day and the important things they are taking home with them – practical tools, new insights, and a strengthened sense of confidence.

The conference concluded with an inspiring lecture by Dr. Dina Eisen, a physician and sought-after lecturer, who spoke about positive thinking as a tool for improving health and quality of life in old age. The lecture, delivered with light but precise humor, included practical tips and gave the audience a sense of optimism and a warm end to a day full of content and meaning.