Holocaust survivors have certainly earned the right to a worry-free old age. But sadly, they are often affected by the same troubles that plague too many of our senior citizens. Poverty, isolation, lack of access to health care, inadequate food, communication barriers and other adversities are unfortunate realities in a population that, let’s face it, has already suffered enough. Help is needed, and in many cases, awareness as well. Survivors are a proud people, and their dire situations may not even be apparent to those who know them.

For the past eight years, Generations After has worked to alleviate the situation. A group of local descendents of survivors, GA has provided assistance and helped preserve the memories of their parents and grandparents. The group’s full spectrum of outreach includes maintaining the New England Holocaust Memorial and orchestrating educational programs and gatherings.

GA’s Bikur L’Chagim visits to survivors on Jewish holidays began in 1998 with a check from Lenny Zakim to Program Coordinator and Vice President Dena Salzberg, who worked with Boston City Councilor and Holocaust survivor Steve Ross’ son Michael Ross, and member Debby Greenberg. (Steve Ross’ daughter Julie Ross is GA President.) Last year, the gift baskets volunteers bring were made by Solomon Schechter students. Since 2005, the visits, which number approximately 1800 to date, have been cosponsored with the Jewish Family & Children’s Service.

“My now 99-year-old mother, Gerta Bagriansky, was a recipient of the holiday gift baskets,” said Rosian Zerner, who serves as liaison between GA and the Greater Boston Child Survivors organization. “A caring '2G', Karen Abraham, and Ellen Krechmer, Holocaust Services Program Coordinator at JF&CS, would deliver them,” she said.

“The first year I did visits,” recalled GA Treasurer and Interim President Isaac Kot, “I actually met a survivor who went through two Holocausts - the Nazi years, and the Czechoslovakia separation in the 1990s, before she came here to her daughter and son-in-law.” The woman had visa extension problems, and Kot was able to refer her to JF&CS, which enlisted a social worker.

“On several occasions when I was bringing holiday gifts, the children and family happened to come in,” he said. “They were so thrilled.” He said many visitors see the same people and establish relationships with them. “They wait for the packages because they get to see them,” he said.

“I visited a survivor with my daughter,” said Lillian Fox, GA Vice President of Programming. “She was so happy to see us, she would sing old songs.” They helped her remember the old days.

JF&CS also cosponsors a transportation service to the annual Yom HaShoah service at Faneuil Hall, the Café Europa brunch at Temple Emeth, and the High Holiday Yizkor service at Brandeis. “Café Europa and the Yizkor service mean the world to them,” said Fox. “They are very appreciative of the rides.”

A German translation service program, which receives CJP funding, helps survivors with German forms and documents. The German Consulate provides translation, but doesn’t make home visits, Salzberg said. “A letter arrived and I couldn’t read it,” said Lillian Stanger, the widow of an Austrian Holocaust survivor. “I met a man at a restaurant. I was also able to give him my reply and he translated that, too.”

Salzberg said that as survivors get older, isolation increases as well. “In collaboration with JF&CS’s Hakalah, a program that assists elderly Holocaust survivors, we began a monthly gathering at Hebrew Senior Life on Centre St. in Brookline,” she said. GA provides transportation and serves refreshments.

Salzberg, a geriatric nurse, related problems faced by elderly survivors. “The Claims Conference is not releasing information that survivors can use regarding health care,” she said. Though she explained that needs increase, no increases have been allotted, and JF&CS can’t provide them either.

A survivor won’t readily go to a food pantry, she said. Since the senior services agency Springwell’s Kosher food program is only for existing members, Rabbi Aaron Hamaoui of the Sephardic Congregation of Brookline stepped in. Along with volunteers, he began a Chesed project Kosher meal program for homebound elders, who include Holocaust survivors. Someone cooks the meals, and Hamaoui himself delivers them. “It is all private donations,” said Salzberg.

“We’re just becoming aware of how much need there is,” said Fox, who represents GA at the JFCS Hakalah Advisory Committee. “I was shocked to learn that there is such a shortage of money. All the reparations, claims, you would think needy survivors are being helped,” she said. She helped form a subcommittee to explore how the needy could be helped.

“The survivor population is not able to afford dental care, prescription or home care services,” she said. “That’s where people end up in nursing homes or at the mercy of whomever,” she added. “Survivors are very proud; they don’t want to ask for help.” It goes without saying that many lack support from relatives, educational benefits or pensions, and suffer residual trauma.

There is also a need for descendants to connect. Fox said she combines bringing in 2G’s with her work with GA. She runs a discussion group for children of Holocaust survivors, and is planning a spring event at the National Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. “There are so many children of Holocaust survivors who have never connected with others,” she said, adding, “My own background was full of silence.”

“From the very first meeting of the board of GA,” said Serena Woolrich, a 2G who operates the online resource network AllGenerations in Washington D.C., “I met some wonderful 2G's who are like family now.”

And GA needs help, too. Salzberg says the programs are made possible by grants and private contributions, and fundraising is ongoing.

American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors President Israel Arbeiter spoke at a recent GA Executive Committee meeting. “We need to continue the legacy of AAJHS,” said Salzberg. “Izzy is known to everybody, but we need to prepare to take a larger role for the future.”

“We must carry these programs on, and for us as well,” said Fox. “We must take care of our legacy and ourselves.”