SUPERMARKETS

Supermarkets seem to be getting bigger and bigger. When I go shopping, by the time I have got halfway through my list, even if it is in the correct order as to where the various counters are situated, I am already tired. Often when I am in the queue at the checkout I see in someone else's trolley the items that I forgot to put on my list, but I am too tired to go back and look for them. A long time ago, in many of the big supermarkets there used to be a small café where you could get a cup of coffee and a cake andbe able to sit down. I believe if they brought this idea back, the supermarkets might benefit more from this concept than from the extra items that can be sold in the same area.

DOCTOR, DOCTOR

A few weeks ago in mid-afternoon, I suddenly had excruciating stomach pains. To get an appointment with my family doctor for the same day was impossible and to call an ambulance and go to the hospital seemed out of place. I remembered that my Kupat Holim and my home insurance both offer emergency medical services. I phoned Maccabi’s 24-hour line (*3555 - for English press 4, and then press 4 again for the nurses' service) and spoke with the nurse on duty who called their mobile doctor. Within an hour he was at our home, checked me, explained the problem, and what I should do if the pains returned. The cost for this service was NIS18! This nursing service is available 24 hours a day and, where necessary, the nurse will speak to a doctor for you and/or order a home visit.

SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNTS

I had a request for information about reductions for senior citizens. This is a very wide field and I will cover some here and from time to time add additional information. If you have anything to offer on this matter, provided you have checked it out personally, then please share it with us.

Definition of senior citizen: In Israel, senior citizens are women from age 62 and men from 67, although according to the institution or organization you belong to, this can mean anyone above 55 or 60. Make sure that you have/get from the Ministry of the Interior your Senior Citizen Card. Discounts usually apply to public transport, national parks, municipalities, museums, some theaters and most cinemas. However, you have to ask for the discount in every case.

Municipal taxes – arnona: You are entitled to a 30% reduction on these taxes for the first 100 sq. meters of your home. This applies even if you are living in a rented flat – but here you have to approach the municipality with your contract.

Bus and train fares: You are entitled to a 50% reduction on these fares, and the driver of the bus has the right to ask to see your Senior Citizen Card. This reduction is for Israeli residents only and not for tourists.

Banks: Check with your bank as to what, if any, senior citizen discount you are entitled to. Generally, the bank will not, on its own account, give you any discount due despite having taken all your details. If you have savings or deposits in this account above a certain sum (to be ascertained with your bank) then you may also be entitled to receive some check books free of payment, but again, you need to ask about this. The discount conditions are not the same in all banks. The banks change their conditions from time to time, and what you knew about charges six months ago may not be the situation today.

Cinemas: Some cinemas give a reduction to senior citizens for afternoon and early evening performances, although an acquaintance of mine complained that one cinema refused this reduction on the grounds that they had a new film showing!

Theaters: When ordering tickets directly from the theater, whether by phone or by other means, if you advise them that you are a senior citizen some theaters give a reduction on the tickets.

However, in both the cinema and the theater, make sure that you have your Senior Citizen Card/Identity Card with you when you pick up the tickets.