July 26, 2024
News
Moldova's health sector is plagued by an outflow of workers abroad. Young people are leaving because of the poor economic situation, leaving mainly the elderly in the country, who suffer from inadequate health and social care, as well as loneliness. Eugenia, 74, was in a similar situation. Seven years ago, a nurse Nina from a nearby home care centre started visiting her. Thanks to her regular visits, Eugenia is feeling much better.
Home care centre services provide assistance to vulnerable seniors
Eugenia lives alone in her modest house in the village of Razeni. Her husband died 19 years ago and she has no other relatives to care for her. Her only company in the house is a cat and a dog. Eugenia has arthritis and other health problems that make it difficult for her to provide for her basic needs. She is regularly visited by a nurse, Nina, from a nearby home care centre opened by Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova. "Eugenia has arthritis, so it is difficult for her to move around. I am her hands and feet," Nina explains.
"I can't imagine what my life would be like if I didn't have Nina," says Eugenia. "I don't have running water in my home, I need someone to bring me water from the well. And also wood from the garden so that I can heat my home," Eugenia describes the situation of many elderly people in the countryside. Thanks to regular visits by staff from the home care centre, Eugenia is well cared for. Nina helps her with household care, but above all she spends time with Eugenia, simply to talk together.
"The elderly people I take care of are very lonely. Often they have no relatives in Moldova to spend time with them. I used to work in the local health centre, so I have known most of the locals for a long time. It is like spending time with my own parents," says Nina.
Thanks to telemedicine, Eugenia has access to medical care
Nina carries a tablet with her on visits, which allows Eugenia to connect with doctors from the comfort of her home. "Because of her arthritis, Eugenia has a reduced ability to move. The nearest health centre where specialists are based is 40 kilometres away. She would not be able to make that journey on her own," says Nina. With the help of a tablet, Eugenia regularly consults her health condition with an endocrinologist and a psychologist. Routine medical tasks such as glucose tests, oxygen saturation or blood tests are provided for clients by nurses like Nina.
"I hope that everyone in my area will be healthy for as long as possible, because health is the most important thing. I am very grateful for this help," says Eugenia, who receives material support from the centre in addition to social and health care. "I have a small pension and unfortunately I cannot manage to earn any extra money because of my health condition. Thank you very much."
How does Caritas Czech Republic help lonely seniors in Moldova?
Caritas Czech Republic has opened 11 home care centres in Moldova. In addition to social support, these centres also provide health services. For many elderly people, a check-up with a doctor is physically and financially demanding. That is why we provide telemedicine services for people like Eugenia, so they can connect with doctors remotely.
The local health and social services system is plagued by an outflow of workers abroad. But at the same time, there are more and more elderly people who need this help. Thanks to our initiative, the profession of home caregiver has been created in Moldova to relieve the overburdened system and at the same time, offer great hope to seniors like Eugenia.
We provide home care centers and telemedicine services to Moldovan seniors thanks to the financial support of the Czech Development Agency.
