Welfare Minister orders 2 nursing homes shut

Welfare Minister Meir Cohen held surprise tours of two unregulated nursing homes, and three regulated facilities. "I am appalled at how the elderly live in our country... I intend to act without delay, and the relevant supervisors will have to explain what I witnessed.”

According to the Welfare Ministry, tour participants witnessed neglect of the elderly, poor sanitary conditions, filthy sheets and mattresses, contaminated and overcrowded dining rooms, and missing medical staff. Cohen ordered immediate closure of the unregulated nursing homes and scheduled a discussion regarding revoking the licenses of the regulated nursing homes. (Omri Efraim)