Health21:00 · Aug 25

Ophir Rubinstein Shares Family Struggle With Mother's Rapid Alzheimer's Decline in Israel

YnetCenter

Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba

Key points

01Ophir Rubinstein's mother Bela rapidly declined from Alzheimer's within a year, losing recognition of family.
02About 150,000 Israelis have dementia, many undiagnosed due to long wait times and limited specialists.
03Families face heavy emotional, physical, and financial burdens caring for dementia patients.
04Caregivers often lack clear information on rights, services, and how to navigate bureaucracy.
05Early diagnosis is vital for managing dementia, though no cure exists, and public awareness is low.
06Experts urge raising brain health awareness from a young age to reduce dementia risk and improve support.

In this story

People

Ophir Rubinstein, Miki Berkovich, Bela Rubinstein, Erin Rubinstein, Yaakov Rubinstein, Dr. Netta Blinson, Dr. Nati Blum, Rachel Ledani

OrganizationsAmda, CareGivers Israel, Shamir Medical Center, National Insurance Institute

PlacesIsrael

The story · English

Ophir Rubinstein, son of basketball legend Miki Berkovich, opened up about his mother Bela's rapid deterioration due to Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges faced by families of dementia patients in Israel. Bela, 80, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's about a year ago, and her cognitive decline has been swift and severe, dropping from a cognitive test score of 25 to 10 within eight months. Rubinstein described the surreal experience of grieving his mother while she is still alive, as she no longer recognizes him or her surroundings.

The family's ordeal began years earlier with small signs of cognitive issues, such as confusion in the kitchen, which worsened after the sudden death of Bela's eldest son. Both parents' health declined, with Bela's husband developing Parkinson's disease and becoming bedridden before his death earlier this year. Rubinstein moved back home to care for his mother, engaging in activities to stimulate her and cherishing moments of joy despite her condition.

Dementia affects approximately 150,000 people in Israel, with many undiagnosed due to long wait times for cognitive neurologists and limited public awareness. Organizations like Amda and CareGivers Israel emphasize the heavy physical, emotional, and financial burdens on families, who often struggle with bureaucracy and lack clear guidance on rights and services. Early diagnosis is crucial for managing the disease and planning care, though no cure exists.

Experts note the constant emotional toll on caregivers, who experience ongoing loss and isolation, and the difficulty in balancing care responsibilities with personal needs. Financial challenges arise from costly private nursing homes and home care expenses, with limited public support. Raising public awareness about brain health from a young age is seen as essential to reducing dementia risk and improving support systems.

Rubinstein's story sheds light on the silent struggles of thousands of Israeli families coping with dementia, calling for better resources, understanding, and societal recognition of this growing health issue.

Read the original at Ynet