For someone living alone, a regular home visit can be the most important moment of the week. Not because of what it brings — but because of what it says: somebody remembers you, somebody came especially for you, you are not alone. At Yamim Tovim Ashdod, home visits are the heart of what we do. Here is what they actually involve.
What happens on a home visit?
A good home visit is not a task — it is a human meeting. In practice it can include:
- Conversation and listening — asking how the person is, hearing stories from the past, talking about the present.
- Small everyday help — sorting paperwork, reading a letter, a reminder about medication, help using a phone or an appliance.
- Company for errands — sometimes a trip to the pharmacy, the clinic or a small shop.
- A watchful eye — noticing changes in health, mood or the state of the home, and reporting them when needed.
Above all, a home visit gives a sense of belonging — the feeling that there is someone to expect, and someone to tell how the week went.
Why it matters so much
Loneliness is not only emotional pain; it affects physical and mental health, appetite, sleep and the will to live. Regular human contact works the other way: it restores routine, awakens interest, and sometimes improves general health as well. If you have not read about it yet, it is worth reading how loneliness affects older people.
For families, a regular home visit brings peace of mind — someone reliable is watching out for their relative even when they are far away, and lets them know when something changes. It is part of what we do alongside the charity's other work.
Who is suited to volunteering on home visits?
The simple answer: almost anyone. No professional background is needed, no special skills — what is needed is a warm heart, patience and a genuine willingness to listen. That weekly hour does not only change the older person's life; time and again, our volunteers tell us it changes theirs too.
How it works with us
- Sign up and get to know us — you leave your details and we get in touch to meet and understand what would suit you.
- Matching — we connect you with an older person in your area, by temperament and availability.
- Ongoing support — you are not on your own; our team is there for questions, advice and support along the way.
Ready to start?
One visit a week can bring the light back to a lonely person's eyes. If you would like to be the one who comes, join us as a volunteer — we will gladly match you with an older person in the Ashdod area. And if you have no time right now but still want to help, a donation lets us train volunteers and reach more homes. Any questions? Talk to us.