Homecare Association helps Age International support Ukraine's elderly and disabled

The Homecare Association has pledged to help older people and the disabled trapped in Ukraine by fundraising for Age International.

Age International currently has over 200 staff and volunteers from local communities working in Ukraine, mostly in the east of the country as Russia's invasion of the country continues. The volunteers have been supporting almost 5,000 older people in the region.

Concerned about 'how it is possible to evacuate them'

Dr Jane Townson, chief executive of the Homecare Association, which held its conference last week, said: “We’ve been concerned about the plight of older and disabled people in Ukraine and how it is possible to evacuate them and what support they are receiving.

"So one of the things that we are doing is fundraising for Age International, who are working closely with other organisations in Ukraine to provide support for older and disabled people.”

Age International, a charitable subsidiary of Age UK, is raising money together with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Age International has been working in Ukraine to help older people affected by the conflict in 2014 by giving essentials such as food, medicines and mental health support. Volunteers help bring older people and disabled basic essentials they need.

Ekaterina aged 70: 'What if they hit the house?'

Ekaterina aged 70 from Ukraine spoke of her fears about Russia’s invasion of her country. “The shelling is what worries me the most. What if they hit the house, and blast the windows, roof, doors out? Who will help me?"

A spokesman for Age International stated: “As the crisis unfolds, we are continuing to assess the most urgent needs of older people. We are expanding our emergency relief programme so that we can get aid to those who need it most – in Ukraine and to those who have been able to flee to neighbouring countries.

“Our most pressing priority at this time is to keep our staff and volunteers safe, despite living under constant fire during the current conflict themselves.

“Research carried out by our colleagues in Ukraine highlights the particular risks older people will face as the conflict escalates.”

These risks include difficulties escaping or avoiding fighting, often due to mobility problems and increased isolation which can cause conflict-related mental health issues

Other issues include difficulty accessing healthcare for chronic conditions, such as dementia, diabetes or coronary heart disease and a lack of assistive devices for those with disabilities walking frames and canes.

To donate money check out Age International’s DEC Ukraine humanitarian appeal at: www.ageinternational.org.uk/donation/ukraine-appeal