Active life in the face of Parkinson’s challenges

The senior housing complexes of the ‘Palace’ network have become synonymous with sports and cultural activities, and simultaneously have built for themselves a quality reputation in terms of medical and emotional support.The successful reputation of the network was built mainly thanks to the stories and experiences of the .residents of the protected housing complexes, which spread like wildfire among the elderly population in Israel

One of these stories is the story of Yehuda and Malka Barak-a couple residing in the ‘Palace’ senior housing complex in Ra’anana for about 8 years, and it seems as if they are in the first decade of their marriage, when in fact, they got married about 57 years ago!

The interview was conducted in their apartment in ‘Palace’ a spacious apartment, filled with sunlight, facing a large and green park. In their pleasant apartment, Yehuda’s (81) artistic mosaic works are hanging all around the apartment, contributing functional elements to the apartment (tables, flowerpots, and more), while Malka’s (79) works give the apartment a soft and inviting artistic atmosphere (paintings, embroidery works, and more).

They hold hands, Malka fondly caresses Yehuda’s hand and encourages him to tell his story.

“We lived in Argentina for 3 years, as part of my work as a lieutenant colonel. When we returned to Israel (in 1995), I started experiencing difficulties in writing, I realized something was wrong. After a check-up with a neurologist, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and since then, the coping began,” Yehuda says, pausing for a moment to gather his thoughts. “Since then, the disease became official. I was offered a fairly risky surgery, or to receive drug treatment if I could cope with the disease and its consequences, so I chose medications, knowing that Malka is by my side and with the intention to fight and do everything I can to continue living a normal life.

Why did you choose ‘Palace’ as your permanent residence?

Yehuda smiles and answers that the first reason was the location as residents of Ra’anana, it was important for them to stay close to the local services they were familiar with that was the first criterion. After checking several places, the couple decided to settle in ‘Palace’ after seeing the wide range of activities the place had to offer, as well as the care for residents, which they didn’t see in any other place.

“Michal Hodorland welcomed us when we arrived, accompanied us at every stage, and monitored our achievements, big or small,” Malka recounts, “she suggested we integrate into almost any new activity, easily identifying that the sports field is close to Yehuda’s heart, and accordingly sent him to hydrotherapy treatments, assigned a special trainer who came from Tel Hashomer, and added him to the fitness room with a structured training program.”

At this point, Yehuda reinforces Malka’s words and adds: “I train 4 times a week, despite the disease. I engage in new activities out of curiosity, to see what it does. The disease progresses slightly every day. it cannot be avoided, but without these activities, its progression rate would have been much faster, undoubtedly. Sports saved me. Even Prof. Giladi (a Parkinson’s specialist from Ichilov) told me that he hasn’t encountered someone who has been carrying Parkinson’s on his back for so many years, yet still looks so good. Sports are responsible for that, and you’re just Superman you’re on the right path and can continue on the way you’re going.

”How was the absorption experience here for you?

“Comfortable and simple. After the initial shock passed quickly, I understood how much this place has to offer and how many sports activities I can do here. Additionally, I saw how they take care of everyone here,” Yehuda says, and also explains how he joined the fitness training system outside when he realized there weren’t enough volunteers to lead them. “I am very busy here, in classes, in creating I love working with mosaic, I make and produce table sets, decorative pictures, flowerpots, and more. Freedom of choice is the deciding factor we don’t have to do anything, but we want to be part of what’s happening here.”

Malka also shared her absorption experience: “When we lived in a regular home, before moving here, we needed a lot of operation, to travel back and forth, parking, queues, and what not. Here, everything is in one place, within reach, and subject to our decision whether to participate or not. The move here was convenient and created comfort for us. Besides that they presented us with so many options that we understood that the apartment is only for sleeping and eating because the rest of the time, we are busy with what’s happening here.

”And now, 8 years later?

“It’s amazing here!” they both answer together, and Malka adds, “There is excellent maintenance here, a helper who comes once a week, if a faucet breaks, they come quickly and fix it, there is an excellent clinic, a social worker who arranges help for us when Yehuda is not feeling well, they even introduced an outdoor training system, I see how Yehuda returns tired and satisfied, and it does me good.”

From Yehuda’s perspective, his satisfaction also relies on the functional and managerial nature of Palace Ra’anana. “There are resident meetings where they offer efficiency suggestions, and this is very important! And also a committee that leads and centers the main issues against the management. We have many friends; we do potlucks every two months, chat, and enjoy. But most importantly and this was our consideration for the long term, thinking about what will happen to those who remain after one of us passes away, and here we have peace of mind knowing that there is a supportive community circle here.”

‘Palace’ Ra’anana is one of the 4 senior housing complexes operated by the Azrieli Group, for over 5 years now (Palace Tel Aviv, Palace Ra’anana, Palace Modi’in, and Palace Lehavim). Currently, the group is planning to establish 2 more senior housing complexes in RishonLeZion and Jerusalem.