In the heart of Ukraine, HelpAge USA is making a profound impact through its support of four Community Safe Spaces in Lviv, Novoyavorivsk, Sambir, and Drohobych. These safe havens offer older Ukrainians a place to connect with others, take classes, access health care, receive mental health services, and find support.
The following stories from some of our HelpAge Community Safe Space participants are a testament to the resilience of older people and the crucial role of community support in fostering their well-being and independence.
"We support each other by working together"
For many older people displaced by the ongoing war in Ukraine, losing their homes has been an overwhelming experience. Yet, amid the hardships of starting over, they are finding strength and resilience by creating new lives. In one of Drohobych’s dormitories, a group of displaced older people supported by HelpAge USA has come together to organize a small garden, bringing a sense of home and purpose to their new surroundings.
Tatiana, 71, who fled Ukrainsk in the Donetsk region at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, finds comfort in growing flowers. “It reminds me of my home, where my whole yard was in bloom,” she shares. For Valentyna, 65, from Kharkiv, growing vegetables is not just about nutrition. “It helps me recover spiritually. Working on the land gives me strength and energy,” she says.
Similarly, Tetiana, 63, displaced from Sievierodonetsk, has found both emotional and physical health benefits in gardening. “It brings fresh food to the table, which helps, as my pension doesn’t cover all my needs,” she explains.
Antonina, 69, also from Sievierodonetsk, used to tend a vineyard at her home and couldn’t imagine life without working the land. “Gardening calms me and reminds me of home. This is how we support each other – by working together.”
Rediscovering life's joy
At 68, Kseniia never imagined she would be forced to flee her home. But in the early hours of February 24, 2022, as shells flew past her windows in the Kherson region of Ukraine, she and her husband packed their belongings in just 20 minutes and escaped. “We lived near Crimea, and at 5am, the bombing began. We evacuated our children and grandchildren, then set off in search of safety with nothing but the clothes on our backs,” Kseniia recalls.
After a brief time abroad, Kseniia and her husband returned to Ukraine, settling in Lviv, where they’ve lived for the past three years in a friend’s apartment. Their home remains under occupation, now inhabited by strangers; and with a combined pension of just 4,000 UAH ($96 USD), they face daily challenges.
“It’s impossible to survive on this money in the city,” Kseniia explains. “In the countryside, you can at least grow your own food. Here, we don’t know how we’d manage if my husband didn’t work.” On top of this, her chronic health conditions demand constant medication, further straining their limited resources.
Despite these hardships, Kseniia has found hope through the Community Safe Space in Lviv supported by HelpAge USA.
“These activities saved me from despair,” Kseniia says. “I met other older people like me, who had lost everything. I took part in art therapy, learned digital skills, and even joined age-appropriate sports. No matter what, life still has value, and being part of a community makes it easier to endure difficult times.”
