Support Older People in Ukraine

At HelpAge, we firmly believe that the best support is the kind that comes from nearby—from people who understand your experiences, losses and hopes. That’s why, in all eight HelpAge Community Safe Spaces, “Peer-to-Peer” groups are active, with small communities of older people who support one another, share experiences, and regain confidence in their own strength.

Participants in these groups not only receive support, but include older people who visit their less mobile peers themselves and become a source of support for others. And those who are visited feel attention and presence, human connection, and a renewed sense that they are not alone. 

“I waited for you so much. You are my angels. I want to talk to you and talk - I have so much I want to tell you,” says 87-year-old Olha, displaced from Donetsk region, during a visit by the Kolomiya “Peer-to-Peer” group. Olha admits that for her, days merge into one endless day. Silence, loneliness, and a sense of abandonment become a heavier burden than physical illness.

“When someone comes to people like Olha, everything changes,” explains Nina, a project specialist. “Stress levels decrease, the brain starts to work more actively: a person recalls events, formulates thoughts, responds to jokes. This is one of the best forms of prevention of cognitive impairment and dementia, which often progress in conditions of isolation.”

“Peer-to-Peer” groups are not just meetings. They are spaces where people can speak openly, find understanding, receive advice and, most importantly, feel that they are not alone. Many participants admit that it was here, for the first time since displacement, that they once again felt the warmth of communication and a sense of safety. And this is how the strength of a community is born—one in which every older man and woman feels valued

This is what your support provides. Thank you for standing with us, in 2025 and beyond.

Links:

• Read more about our work in Ukraine.