As the conflict in Ukraine continues, older people with serious illnesses have been left especially at-risk. Many of them face not only the hardships of displacement and war but also the challenges of managing chronic and life-threatening conditions. With a grant from GlobalGiving, HelpAge USA has been addressing this critical gap by enabling compassionate, community-based palliative care for older people across Ukraine, ensuring that they receive the support they need.
Building a Lifeline of Care and Support
Through a project carried out with support from GlobalGiving in collaboration with HelpAge International in Ukraine and other key partners, we have been working to impact the lives of hundreds of older Ukrainians—particularly those who are isolated, have disabilities, or are facing serious illness, who are often overlooked during times of conflict.
One of the people who has benefitted from the program is Galyna, an 82-year-old grandmother who was forced to flee her home and struggled with managing her advanced diabetes.
“I felt forgotten and helpless,” Galyna shared. “But when the HelpAge team came, they brought me everything I needed—medicine, care, and even a special mattress that helped with my bedsores.”
Thanks to HelpAge’s support, Galyna now receives regular care that helps her manage her condition in her new surroundings.
In addition to personalized care, the program has provided assistive devices such as anti-bedsore mattresses, canes, and hygiene items. HelpAge also extended critical support through multipurpose cash assistance, enabling many older people to meet their basic needs with the dignity of personal choice about what to buy and also to purchase essential medicines.
The impact of HelpAge’s work can be seen in the stories of those whose lives have been touched by the program. Liubov, a 75-year-old widow living alone in Kyiv, received not only palliative care but also multipurpose cash assistance that helped her buy food and medications.
“They didn’t just provide me with help—they made me feel cared for and seen,” she said. “HelpAge gave me the strength to keep going, even when everything felt impossible.”
Empowering Healthcare Workers
The project also focused on strengthening Ukraine’s healthcare system by equipping healthcare workers and social service providers with the knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality palliative care. In partnership with local health authorities, HelpAge organized expert trainings for doctors, nurses, and social care workers. This training has helped these professionals better understand the needs of older people with serious illnesses and provided them with the tools they need to offer integrated, holistic, community-based care.
Mykhailo, a 68-year-old man whose wife Larysa has been battling cancer, was one of the program’s beneficiaries.
“The hospital near us was destroyed, and we couldn’t afford private care. HelpAge brought us a nurse who has been by our side through every step of this journey. I don’t know what we would have done without this support,” Mykhailo said.
Advocacy and Awareness: A Call to Action
To further amplify the need for palliative care in humanitarian crises, HelpAge USA hosted a global webinar and shared a new report, bringing together policymakers from the US, Europe, and Ukraine, alongside palliative care experts and displaced Ukrainians, to discuss the program’s findings and share personal stories from those who have benefited from the care provided.
HelpAge USA’s advocacy efforts have also included meetings with US government officials to encourage greater investment in palliative care within humanitarian aid programs. By sharing research and personal stories, HelpAge has raised awareness about the vital role of palliative care in conflict zones and the need for sustained support from the global community.
Looking Ahead: Recommendations for the Future
Based on the successes and challenges of this initiative, HelpAge has identified several key recommendations for future projects:
- Expand In-Person Training: The in-depth training provided to healthcare professionals was highly effective, and similar in-person sessions should be extended to additional healthcare and social care workers. Future projects could also offer this training to other humanitarian organizations to enhance the broader care network.
- Continue Research and Advocacy: Palliative care remains under-addressed in humanitarian settings, and HelpAge is uniquely positioned to lead further research and advocacy in this area. By continuing to push for the inclusion of palliative care in global health programs, HelpAge can help fill this critical gap.
- Enhance Beneficiary Targeting: Feedback from social care workers highlighted the need for clearer differentiation between palliative and home-based care services. Longer project timelines will also allow for more comprehensive care and deeper engagement with beneficiaries.
- Broader Provision of Assistive Products: The distribution of personalized assistive devices, such as specialized mattresses and mobility aids, has been instrumental in improving beneficiaries’ quality of life. Expanding the range of these products in future projects will ensure that older people’s specific needs are met more effectively.
A Legacy of Compassion and Care
As the war in Ukraine continues, HelpAge USA remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting older people through this ongoing crisis. By providing essential palliative care, HelpAge USA is not just responding to the immediate needs of older people like Galyna, Mykhailo, and Liubov—it is helping to build a more compassionate and inclusive humanitarian response for the future.
Through its advocacy efforts, research, and direct interventions, HelpAge USA is paving the way for a world where older people in humanitarian crises are treated with the dignity, care, and respect they deserve. As the organization looks ahead, the lessons learned from this project will continue to guide its efforts to address the unmet needs of older people in Ukraine and beyond.
