Diur Mugan (דיור מוגן) is a term used in Israel for a particular type of senior housing or retirement living arrangement. In the sections below, we explain what Diur Mugan means, its English translation, who it is intended for, and how it differs from a traditional nursing home.
What is “Diur Mugan”? (Definition & Meaning)
Diur Mugan literally means “protected housing” in Hebrew. It refers to private retirement residences or senior living communities where older adults live independently but with additional support and amenities available on site.
In a Diur Mugan facility, seniors typically have their own apartments (usually 1-3 rooms) equipped with a kitchenette and other home facilities, allowing them to maintain a private, home-like living environment. At the same time, these residences provide a safe and age-friendly setting with services such as 24-hour security, emergency call buttons in each apartment, and access to social activities and conveniences (e.g. dining rooms, lounges, gyms, libraries).
In other words, Diur Mugan is essentially a form of assisted living or sheltered housing for seniors – a concept that originated from American-style retirement communities and has grown popular in Israel over the past two decades.
English Translation: In English, Diur Mugan is often translated as “sheltered housing” or referred to as an “assisted living facility” or “retirement home” for seniors.
All these terms emphasize that it is a protected living arrangement for older people who want to live independently but within a community that offers support and services as needed.
Who is Diur Mugan Suitable For?
Diur Mugan is suitable for independent senior citizens, generally in the “third age” (retirement years), who are in relatively good health and capable of managing their day-to-day lives without full-time care. In fact, Israeli retirement homes (Diur Mugan) require residents to be fully or largely independent when they move in.
The typical resident is an older adult who does not need constant medical or nursing supervision, but who chooses to live among peers in a safe environment with available amenities and social activities.
Candidates for Diur Mugan are often seniors who may no longer want the burden of maintaining a large home, or who feel isolated living alone, but who can still take care of themselves.
These individuals wish to enjoy an active, independent lifestyle – with the bonus of having organized activities, dining services, housekeeping, and security available if they want them.
For example, one source notes that senior living (diur mugan) is aimed at independent seniors – if a person is wheelchair-bound or not self-sufficient, the facility’s health committee will reject their application.
In summary, Diur Mugan is not meant for those who need daily nursing care or assistance; it is designed for seniors who are basically self-reliant but desire the community and safety net that a senior residence provides.
Diur Mugan vs. Nursing Home: Key Differences
Although both Diur Mugan communities and nursing homes are housing solutions for the elderly, they serve different populations and provide different levels of care.
Below are the key differences between Diur Mugan (sheltered/assisted living housing) and a typical nursing home in Israel:
Resident Independence & Care Needs: Diur Mugan (often called a “retirement home” or sheltered housing) is designed for seniors who are independent and do not require constant medical supervision. Residents are generally in good enough health to handle their personal care and daily activities. In contrast, a nursing home (בית אבות, beit avot) is intended for elderly individuals who need help with daily functioning or ongoing nursing care due to age-related frailty, illness, or disability. Nursing homes can accommodate seniors with significant health issues or mobility/cognitive impairments – including those who are bedridden, require assistance in most daily tasks, or have advanced dementia – providing them with the necessary care and monitoring on a continual basis.
Living Accommodations: In a Diur Mugan residence, seniors live in private apartment units (typically one, two, or even three rooms) that include their own small kitchen (kitchenette) and sometimes laundry facilities. This setup allows residents to continue cooking or doing light housekeeping if they wish, and generally offers more privacy and a homelike atmosphere. By contrast, in a nursing home the living quarters are usually rooms or suites without kitchens or laundry – because all meals, laundry, and housecleaning are provided by the facility’s staff. For example, an Israeli old-age home will provide residents with furnished rooms and an electric kettle for convenience, but no full kitchen, as daily meals are prepared centrally and served in a communal dining room. The nursing home environment is more institutional, focused on care, whereas Diur Mugan feels more like an independent living apartment within a community.
Services and Amenities: Lifestyle amenities are a hallmark of Diur Mugan communities. These facilities typically offer a wide range of recreational and social activities to enrich seniors’ daily lives. Residents have access to on-site features like swimming pools, fitness rooms, game rooms, libraries, arts and crafts workshops, cultural events, and group outings. Services such as weekly housekeeping, maintenance, and optional meal plans (e.g. in-house restaurants or cafeterias) are available, and there are emergency call systems for safety – but medical/nursing care is not continuously provided as part of the standard living arrangement. In a nursing home, the emphasis is on comprehensive care rather than lifestyle activities. Nursing homes provide all essential services for their residents: regular meals (usually 3 meals a day plus snacks), daily housekeeping and laundry, assistance with bathing, dressing, and medications, and 24-hour nursing or caregiver supervision on-site. Social activities may exist in nursing homes as well, but the primary goal is to ensure each resident’s health and personal care needs are met. In short, Diur Mugan offers an independent, activity-rich lifestyle with minimal assistance, whereas nursing homes offer a care-intensive environment for those who cannot live independently.
Regulation and Oversight: In Israel there is a difference in how these facilities are regulated. Nursing homes (old-age homes) are licensed and supervised by government authorities, specifically the Ministry of Social Affairs (and for nursing care units, the Ministry of Health). They must meet strict standards for staff-to-resident ratios, hygiene, safety, and care services, given that they handle vulnerable individuals who need professional care. Diur Mugan facilities, on the other hand, are generally private residences that do not require a special license to operate because they are not classified as medical institutions. They are essentially considered housing complexes for seniors, and thus are not as tightly regulated by the government as nursing homes. (Despite this, many Diur Mugan establishments maintain high standards due to market expectations, and some have optional nursing wings or clinics on-site, but the core living facility itself is not under the same government regulatory framework as a nursing home.)
In summary, Diur Mugan is best thought of as an assisted/independent living community for seniors – ideal for older adults who can take care of themselves but want the convenience, security, and social environment of a dedicated senior residence. A nursing home, by contrast, is a care-oriented facility for those who can no longer live independently and require daily medical or personal care support. The two options address different needs: Diur Mugan supports an active, independent lifestyle with added amenities, while nursing homes support those with significant health or care needs, ensuring they receive continuous assistance and healthcare supervision. Each family must consider the senior’s health status and preferences to choose the appropriate housing option in Israel.
Sources: The information above is based on Israeli senior housing definitions and guidelines, including comparisons from news articles and senior care resources, as well as reports that explain the concept of Diur Mugan (sheltered housing) versus nursing homes. These sources highlight how Diur Mugan facilities function and for whom they are intended, in contrast with nursing homes’ services and regulations.
