Help 250+ Vulnerable Elderly in Moldova

During the reporting period, “Rasarit” day care centre (Centre) for elderly people offered services and activities according to the elderly’s needs. The project was developed with an experience of operations under Covid-19 conditions.

The Centre was closed on 12^th March 2021 when Moldova announced a national health emergency and re-opened on 24^th May 2021. Neoumanist managed within a 2 weeks period to reorganize its staff, arrange for the logistics, purchase sufficient protective materials and obtain official permission to offer mobile services on this scale: hot lunches were delivered, laundry collected and delivered, psychological support was delivered on the phone. There were 3.521 visits (2.724 f / 797 m) which on average are 30 to 35 visitors per day.

Presently, the Centre has 208 registered beneficiaries (151 f / 57 m). This compares to the 220 spelled out in the project proposal and the difference justified by natural fluctuation: 19 persons passed away; 21 de-registered (changed the address of living or found a personal caretaker); 30 new beneficiaries were registered.

The total number of lunches prepared at the Centre was 13.231, that includes the hot meals delivered during the Covid-19 induced closure.

The Center’s shower services were accessed 1.262 times (864 f / 308 m). The laundry service was used 1.708 times (1.254 f / 454 m), the blood pressure was monitored 1.453 times.

Gymnastics sessions were provided 660 times. Massage therapies were provided to 54 persons.

The psychologist offered 906 counselling sessions (including those on the phone) and involved beneficiaries in art therapy, music therapy, aromatherapy, work therapy etc. Beneficiaries who are unable to come to the Centre receive consultations over the phone.

The centre offers the opportunity to participate in various activities (“clubs”):

• Members of the handicraft club are usually ladies who knit or embroider. They meet twice a week and share their experience with anyone who wants to join. Their artefacts are exhibited at the Centre and are also sold during public events or markets. This gives the members of this club a small income, and  the same time all the guests of the organisation receive small presents made by this group.
• . An accordion player was engaged to provide weekly music lessons.On average, 67 persons (56 f / 11 m) participated in music lessons.. Music cheers them up and made them feel better and younger.
• The “I want to know…” club meets twice a week in order to discuss various subject that are interesting for the beneficiaries, especially the latest news. Everybody is invited to join these discussions. About 15 elderlies were the most active members. They like to read the newspaper and share the information with other beneficiaries.
• 113 beneficiaries (91 f / 22 m) attended the “beauty club” which took place 12 times. Almost all the beneficiaries wanted to cut their hair. Other beneficiaries asked for facial and hand treatment, hair styles, manicure etc. They are interested in information about the natural/herbal remedies for everyday ailments or treatments.
• Weekly the English course gathered together 9 f students who like to learn English language.

Every day, the beneficiaries have tea in the morning and during this activity they discuss a lot. If they do not feel like joining any specific club that day, they get involved in gardening or help out in the kitchen etc . All the beneficiaries have the possibility to watch TV, listen to the radio, play games, etc.

In the reported period, there was no opportunity to organise annual events such as the International Elderly Day, Family Day or New Year. The only cultural activity was organised by a local kindergarten, which brought a lot of positive emotions to the elderly. Birthdays of the beneficiaries were celebrated.

Monthly meeting with elderly were organised in order to maintain the close contact with beneficiaries, to remind them of the main rules of the Centre, to inform about future plans etc.

As a result beneficiaries of the project improve their quality of the life. Elderly are more informed about their rights, access social and medical services, participated in the decision making process, represent an important group that have experience and value.

All these activities are possible ti impliment only to suppor of donors.