Home care for the elderly

Summary

This is the generation that lived through the seige of Leningrad, that lost their life savings in the aftermath of the fall of Communism.  Zabota, a small St Petersburg charity, provides care in the community for those with no family to help them.

How you can help

• £5.50 pays for one 2-hour visit to do household chores, personal care or to run errands
• £44 covers the cost of a whole month of twice-weekly visits for one elderly person

Why is your help needed?

The state-funded care system for the elderly in Russia does provide some home visiting services.  The problem is that the elderly person has to pay for each service.  Laundry is charged per kilo, there are separate fees for bathing the client, for mopping the floor etc etc.  Although pensions vary, with many receiving little more than £100 per month, the poorer pensioners cannot afford to pay for services.  Many pensioners still live in communal flats, sharing bathroom and kitchen with other families.  This can make them vulnerable to abuse.

State-run old people's homes are no more of a solution.  Residents often live 30 to a ward with no privacy, no activities, and low standards of personal care.

How does Zabota help?

This small St Petersburg charity runs a care in the community service.  Carers visit twice a week for two hours, concentrating on the most vulnerable elderly people in their district: the poor with no family able to help.

"You have not only helped me cope with domestic difficulties, giving me all the help I need around the flat, but you have warmed my heart, and brought hope and light into my life. " Larisa

The charity also runs a small, charitable home for up to 10 residents.  This is run on a self-funding model.  Residents leave their room or flat to the charity in their will, and in return are promised life-long care.

Listen to residents talk about their life in the home.

Who benefits?

Zabota provides care for around 50 elderly people living in their own homes.  SGF usually fund the visits for at least 10 of these.

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