“Tomechet” Program

Beit Natan’s innovative “Tomechet” Home Hospice Volunteer Visitation Program provides companionship for terminally ill patients and help for their caregivers.

Tomechet was started in response to the unmet needs of terminally ill patients. Hospital and community-based hospice services in Israel treat less than 10% of those who could benefit from them. The remaining 90% may be cared for at home by family members, friends or occasional visits by community health services. These caregivers often suffer from burnout, frustration and depression. Tomechet volunteers provides necessary and vital relief for caregivers and a giving and caring heart and ear for the patients.

Tomechet recruits and trains volunteers. Patients are referred to Tomechet through referrals from hospitals, HMOs, and community-based organizations. Tomechet matches a volunteer with a patient, providing supervision and on-going education for the volunteers.

Volunteers visit the terminally ill in their homes weekly, developing meaningful relationships that allow patients and caregivers to open up and share their concerns and fears.

Tomechet’s volunteer program in Israel is currenly located in Jerusalem, Haifa, Ashdod, Zichron Yaakov and Rehovot and is constantly looking to expand to meet the needs of the terminally ill.

Beit Natan’s volunteer training program is an intensive 32 hour course in palliative & home-hospice care and bereavement issues. Tomechet’s professional staff provides ongoing supervision of each of the cases, thereby ensuring high quality, professional care.