May 2, 2024
News
Moldova is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Poverty is a significant issue for the elderly people, who are often left alone in rural areas. Young people leave Moldova to find jobs abroad and do not return home. The elderly people struggle not only with financial hardship, but also with inadequate health and social care. One of them is Maria, 74, from the village of Cigârleni. Thanks to the services of a home care centre opened by Caritas Czech Republic, she is being looked after.
Home care centres are a hope for lonely elderly people
Maria has worked all her life in an agricultural cooperative. Most of her time was spent in the vineyards of Moldova, picking grapes. The picking took place during the winter and Maria had no protective equipment. "We worked in very low temperatures and had no protection for our hands. That is why most people who worked in agriculture have arthritis," explains Maria, who is also dealing with other health problems such as cataracts, high blood pressure and gastroenterological problems.
Maria lives alone in a small house in the Moldovan countryside. Ever since her husband and son both died prematurely, Maria has no living relatives nearby to care for her and to take her to the doctor. However, a nurse Ekaterina, from a nearby home care centre opened by Caritas Czech Republic in Moldova, regularly visits the elderly woman. Ekaterina gives Maria injections, prepares her medication and also does rehabilitation exercises with her. She also helps her with cooking, cleaning, and managing the household, which Maria is no longer able to do. But most importantly, she helps Maria cope with loneliness. "Elderly people are always happy to see me or my colleagues. It's like visiting relatives. Just by asking them how they are doing, their eyes immediately light up. The elderly people are very happy that such help exists for them, because no one else comes to visit them," Ekaterina explains the situation of the elderly people in Moldova.
Telemedicine saves people an expensive trip to the hospital
The nurse's words are confirmed by Maria herself. "Ekaterina is like my daughter," she says with a smile. Maria used to love to read and knit, yet because of her poor eyesight she had to stop. But she likes to talk, so she also spends time in her modest garden, talking to her dogs, geese and chickens. "I stop by here at least three times a week, but sometimes more often. We usually cook something together and have a chat. If I don't happen to stop by, we'll call each other to make up the time. It's very important for her mental health," says Ekaterina, 54, who takes care of 9 other seniors this way.
Ekaterina carries a tablet with her on visits, which allows Maria to connect with doctors remotely. "I am very happy that I don't have to travel to the hospital. One such visit would cost me a lot of money," Maria praises the telemedicine services that Caritas Czech Republic provides for the elderly.
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 seniors, a check-up with a doctor is physically and financially demanding. That's why we provide telemedicine services for people like Maria, so they can connect with doctors remotely.
The local health and social services system is suffering from an outflow of workers abroad. At the same time, there are more and more elderly people who need this help. Thanks to our initiative, a home care profession has been created in Moldova to relieve the overburdened system and at the same time offer great hope to seniors like Maria.
We provide the services of home care centres and telemedicine services in Moldova thanks to the financial support of the Czech Development Agency.
