A Multi-Dimensional Model of Elder Law : An Israeli Example

Elder Law in Israel is still in its initial stages of development. While some signs of awareness to its potential contribution to Israel's aging population are evident, there has not been a complete and coherent approach to the relationship between law and elders' rights in Israel. The goal of this article is to try and introduce a model that describes the various dimensions in which law can contribute to the promotion of rights of the elderly population, and how these different dimensions are reflected within a specific example: Israeli elder law. The model consists of five legal dimensions: the legal principles core; the protective dimension; the supportive dimension; the preventive dimension; and finally, the empowerment dimension. In each dimension, the law serves a distinct social function and reflects different social values toward the elderly. The advantage of the proposed model is its ability to present a broad and coherent picture of the relationships between law and the protection of elder rights. Implementation of the model may also serve to advance the academic discussion of these issues from an international comparative dimension