Areas of Focus

The “Healthcare” program encompasses three primary areas:

Planned future developments include the establishment of a new focus area — rehabilitation for veterans who have been demobilized and require comprehensive rehabilitation support, as well as civilians who have suffered injuries due to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

Social Impact

• Reducing the burden on local healthcare systems and social institutions.
• Increasing access to basic medical and hygiene services.
• Improving living conditions for vulnerable population groups, including children and the elderly.
• Promoting psychological well-being among vulnerable groups through regular communication with psychologists, social workers, and volunteers, thereby reducing anxiety, stress, and depression levels.
• Building the foundation for a humane society where care and attention to the most vulnerable are a priority.

Development Plans

•  Establishing a psychological and physical rehabilitation center for individuals affected by war, with a training base for rehabilitation specialists.
• Creating a nationwide network for physical and mental rehabilitation.
• Expanding and developing a network of primary healthcare centers with psychological support.
• Increasing the network of palliative care centers, including pediatric palliative care. Establishing inpatient hospice centers.
• Ensuring the sustainability of home care centers. Expanding the services of mobile home care teams.
• Conducting informational and training workshops for social workers, caregivers, volunteers, and beneficiaries’ relatives.
• Expanding the network of rehabilitation equipment rental points.

Medical Centers

Since October 2023, Caritas Ukraine has been developing a network of medical centers providing primary and secondary healthcare as well as psychological assistance, including telemedicine services. Currently, ten medical centers operate in Ukraine:

Caritas medical centers represent a modern alternative to traditional clinics, offering the ability to sign declarations with family doctors and access a range of free services.

The Caritas Ukraine medical center model is developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU), and local authorities.

Within a year, Caritas medical centers have registered about 6,600 patients. They do not compete with public healthcare facilities but instead strengthen communities by:

• Enhancing local healthcare capabilities.
• Operating more flexibly and efficiently (operational costs at Caritas medical centers are significantly lower than those of large municipal institutions).
• Securing funding for community healthcare projects.

Additionally, these medical centers benefit from donor funding, agreements with the NHSU for state financing, and their legal status allows them to provide both free services and engage in commercial activities.

Telemedicine

Under the S.U.P.E.R. project, supported by AICS and Caritas Italy, Caritas Ukraine has been offering telemedicine services since July 2024. This initiative provides medical care and “Home Care” support in remote areas where infrastructure is significantly damaged, enabling elderly individuals and those with limited mobility to receive medical consultations and psychological support at home.

The project covers three key regions of Ukraine: Kharkiv, Poltava and Dnipro regions (with a location in the city of Kamianske).

The project serves 210 beneficiaries, offering consultations, home care, psychological support, sanitary, hygiene, and food kits, and rehabilitation equipment rentals.

A key aspect of the S.U.P.E.R. project is education and communication with local authorities, healthcare representatives, and community members, resulting in reduced institutionalization of the elderly and those with limited mobility. Training sessions and workshops have involved 150 participants.

Through the “Cash for Care” initiative, 18 jobs have been created for local residents providing “Home Care” services under the supervision of project social workers.

Palliative Care

Caritas Ukraine began its palliative care efforts in January 2017 as a social project focused on supporting people with incurable diseases. Since January 2024, the project has adopted a holistic approach, integrating medical, social, psychological, and spiritual services to provide comprehensive support for beneficiaries and their families.

Palliative care services are implemented in accordance with the State Standard for Social Palliative Care Services, which regulates the organization, qualifications of workers, and support for individuals requiring continuous care at home.

The initiative is also aligned with Order No. 1308 of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, dated June 4, 2020, which aims to improve the palliative care system in Ukraine. These regulatory documents ensure standardization, quality, and a comprehensive approach to supporting people with incurable diseases, addressing their individual needs.

The project involves agreements with the National Health Service of Ukraine, providing state budget co-financing. This partnership is a key element of the exit strategy, enabling centers offering palliative care to continue operations partially after the project concludes. This approach guarantees sustainability and uninterrupted support for those in need.

The primary goal of palliative care is to improve the quality of life for beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers through early detection, thorough assessment, and relief of pain, associated issues, and complications. It also addresses physical, psychological, spiritual, and social needs.

Palliative care focuses on alleviating suffering, providing symptomatic therapy, care, and comprehensive support. Priority is given to assisting beneficiaries regardless of age, social status, nationality, religious or political beliefs, or place of residence.

Beneficiaries include individuals with incurable diseases, especially isolated, disadvantaged people and other vulnerable groups (including IDPs) with progressive diseases and severe life-altering conditions requiring palliative care.

The project covers the most remote regions of Ukraine, where other services are unable to operate. Multidisciplinary mobile teams, comprising doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and chaplains with theological education, provide comprehensive palliative care to individuals with serious illnesses requiring ongoing support.

Palliative care emphasizes respect and love for individuals, preserving human dignity until the last breath.

For assistance under the project, contact:

• Caritas Ivano-Frankivsk: (063) 199 9100; iyurkiv@caritas.if.ua
• Caritas Nadvirna: (068) 188 7645; oksanastefunak@gmail.com
• Caritas Khmelnytskyi: (096) 460 3350; ostriletska_khmelnytskyi@db.caritas.ua

Home Care

Since 1998, Caritas Ukraine has implemented the “Home Care” program, providing comprehensive assistance to vulnerable population groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, the seriously ill, and veterans needing home-based support.

The program addresses physical needs by assisting with daily tasks, ensuring personal care and hygiene, and emphasizing the emotional and spiritual well-being of beneficiaries.

The “Home Care” program operates under the requirements of the Law of Ukraine “On Social Services” and various state standards regulating the provision of social and medical assistance, including the State Standard for Home Care.

Target Categories:

Home Care Services:

• Household Assistance: Grocery shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, medication delivery, utility payments, etc.
• Self-Care Assistance: Hygiene procedures, self-care skill training.
• Medical Assistance: Health monitoring, accompaniment to medical institutions, provision of medications and hygiene supplies.
• Psychological Support: Individual consultations, group meetings, art therapy activities.
• Leisure Organization: Workshops, joint activities, reading, walks, communication.
• Spiritual Support: Provided as needed.
• Temporary Use of Rehabilitation Aids: Walkers, crutches, anti-decubitus mattresses, wheelchairs, etc.
• Training for Relatives, Caregivers, and Volunteers: Basics of proper care and use of rehabilitation equipment.

Achievements in the First Half of 2024:

• Over 1,700 unique beneficiaries covered under the “Home Care” program.
• 223,400 home care social services provided.
• 3,451 rehabilitation aids rented for improved mobility and easier care of the seriously ill.
• 895 beneficiaries received specialized psychological support through individual and group consultations.
• Over 800 art therapy activities conducted for psychological recovery and psychosocial support.
• 17,239 relatives, caregivers, and volunteers trained in proper care for the seriously ill, including the use of rehabilitation aids.
• 195 volunteers engaged across all “Home Care” centers actively supporting project activities.
• 348 educational and outreach training sessions and lectures conducted on topics such as “Psychological Features of Elderly People,” “Care for the Seriously Ill,” and “Prevention of Bedsores and Related Diseases.”

Caritas actively promotes the professional development of its staff working with beneficiaries and their surroundings. All employees undergo additional specialized courses covering theoretical and practical aspects of caring for elderly people and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, staff participate in self-education, professional training, webinars, and conferences, enhancing their skills and expertise. Psychological support plays a crucial role in professional development, as working with vulnerable populations requires not only professionalism but also emotional resilience. Regular psychological training, supervision, and psychologist support help employees cope with emotional stress, maintain high motivation levels, and ensure psychological comfort for both themselves and beneficiaries.

Significant attention is given to developing and implementing training materials to improve the qualifications of social workers, relatives, caregivers, and volunteers. Our contributions include manuals such as “Caring for the Sick and Frail,” “Fundamentals of Nursing Care,” “Prevention of Bedsores,” “Post-Stroke Rehabilitation,” “Alzheimer’s Disease,” and guides such as “Accompanying to the End,” “Listening with Love.”

The “Home Care” program adheres to the Caritas Ukraine safeguarding policies, ethical standards, and international principles of social services provision, emphasizing dignity, equality, and safety. All services are provided with beneficiary protection requirements, including confidentiality, anti-discrimination, and risk prevention policies.

By adhering to these standards and requirements, Caritas Ukraine delivers comprehensive social services using a holistic approach, always focusing on the individual’s unique needs, considering physical, emotional, and spiritual health aspects.

Shelters

The “Sustain – Sustainable Support and Shelter for Elderly People and IDPs” project (abbreviated as “Shelters”) aims to provide sustainable housing and comprehensive support for elderly internally displaced persons (IDPs) and other vulnerable population groups affected by the war in Ukraine.

All project partners have qualified and trained staff (social workers, psychologists). Shelters offer basic services such as meals, laundry, and hygiene facilities, along with psychological support sessions supervised by local psychologists. Individual assessments are also conducted when necessary to tailor services.

Furthermore, the project addresses financial insecurity faced by many elderly IDPs by improving access to social services and ensuring their basic needs are met with dignity. Between September and November 2024, Caritas Ukraine supported at least 154 beneficiaries housed in six shelters located in Boryslav, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Odesa, Ternopil, and Chortkiv.

For safety, all facilities are equipped with shelters or are within 500 meters of the nearest shelter. The shelters are designed following inclusivity principles.

An essential aspect of the project is diversifying funding sources to ensure sustainable development and minimize reliance on a single source. Caritas Ukraine has the potential to become a key provider of state-funded social services for immobile and severely ill elderly individuals through the following directions:

The project also strengthens Caritas Ukraine’s local partners by providing them with resources, training, and opportunities to develop management capacity. This approach not only helps meet the basic needs of beneficiaries but also improves their quality of life in the long term through comprehensive care, psychosocial support, and integration into community-level social services.

The ongoing war in Ukraine leaves many people in need of housing assistance. Caritas’ support remains crucial and timely.

Rehabilitation

In 2025, Caritas Ukraine plans to develop a new area of work—opening an evidence-based rehabilitation center in Truskavets for military and civilian individuals. This center will provide comprehensive physical and psychological rehabilitation services near a military hospital.

The project also includes creating a training base for multidisciplinary rehabilitation teams, where specialists can gain essential training and enhance their qualifications through knowledge exchange.

Implementation Geography

• Home Care Centers (24 locations across 20 regions): Boryslav, Brody, Dnipro (2 projects), Drohobych, Zaporizhzhia (2 projects), Ivano-Frankivsk, Kamianske, Kolomyia, Kyiv (2 projects), Lviv, Nadvirna, Odesa, Poltava, Ternopil, Kharkiv (3 projects), Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Chernivtsi, Sheptytskyi.
• Shelters for Elderly IDPs and Local Residents: Boryslav, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Odesa, Ternopil, Chortkiv.
• Medical Centers: Brody, Drohobych, Dnipro, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Nadvirna, Poltava, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Chortkiv.
• Palliative Care Centers: Drohobych, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Nadvirna, Khmelnytskyi.

Program Donors

Cordaid, Caritas Germany, BMZ, Caritas Austria, NACHBAR IN NOT, Austrian Development Agency, CNEWA, Renovabis, Caritas Italy, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

Stories of Assistance

Palliative Care, Ivano-Frankivsk

Ms. Maria has been battling systemic scleroderma for many years, which significantly limits her physical abilities and causes pain. Despite this, she always smiles, leaving her pain behind closed doors. Maria’s youth was vibrant: she worked at the “Positron” factory, traveled, and enjoyed mountain climbing with her husband. However, in 2019, her husband, Ivan Mykhailovych, fell seriously ill and required special care. Burdened by her illness, Maria was unable to handle everything alone and turned to Caritas for support during their hardest moments.

After her husband’s passing in 2021, Maria’s condition deteriorated. Since January 2024, she has been a participant in the project “Palliative Care for Vulnerable Population Groups in Ukraine,” which provides her with medical, social, and spiritual support. Caritas assists her with household tasks, and thanks to the work of a physical therapist, her joint mobility has improved.

“I am so happy that Caritas became part of my life. After my husband’s death, my world fell apart, but now I no longer feel alone. I know that as long as I can walk, I will come to you, and I am always glad when you visit me,” shares Maria.

Home Care, Kharkiv

Eighty-four-year-old Svitlana Ivanivna is a child of war and a veteran of labor. A strong woman who overcame cancer and managed to recover after a stroke, her body nonetheless endured significant stress. She was granted Group 1 disability status.

In 2022, Svitlana faced another challenge—the loss of her husband. Ultimately, she had no one left to support her. Fortunately, while in the hospital, she learned about Caritas Kharkiv.

“Life became much easier with Caritas. They provide attention and care. Iryna washes the floor for me, buys groceries—anything I ask, she does. She is very attentive! I have a difficult personality and don’t bond easily with people, but somehow we found common ground. She is a very kind person, and I am so grateful to her!” shares Svitlana Ivanivna about the social worker from Caritas Kharkiv.

Palliative Care, Khmelnytskyi

Eighty-eight-year-old Ms. Anatolia, an internally displaced person, has been a participant in the palliative care project since February 2024. Due to declining health, she is bedridden. A doctor and nurse regularly monitor her condition, a social worker assists with daily tasks and supports her physical exercises, while a psychologist provides emotional support, helping her cope with anxiety and sadness. Despite the pain from fractures, Ms. Anatolia greets each visit from the team with a smile.

What pains Ms. Anatolia most is her forced departure from her native Bakhmut, where she spent her life raising her son and grandchildren with her husband. “When my son evacuated me from occupied Bakhmut, I felt I would never return home. I said I wouldn’t leave without Malish, my little dog. He is a part of my warm memories and bright hopes,” she shares through tears.

The palliative care project strives to restore a sense of care and support to Ms. Anatolia, bringing warmth to her life—a warmth that still resides in her heart.

Home Care, Dnipro

A beneficiary of Caritas Donetsk in Dnipro, Ms. Olena recently celebrated her 70th birthday. Once a lively and energetic woman who would rush to help anyone in need, she now spends her twilight years alone, battling illnesses.

In warmer months, Olena tries to spend as much time outdoors as possible, cherishing the fresh air since her health prevents her from going outside during winter.

Always by her side is her social worker, Natalia. “She is my hands and feet. She brings me water, buys medicines, calls the doctor. She consoles and helps me. Thank you for not leaving me and others like me alone,” says Olena, who eagerly awaits Natalia’s visits to talk, feel cared for, and supported.

S.U.P.E.R. Project, Kamianske

Ms. Larysa has endured severe losses: she lost a leg to illness and her nephew, her only supporter, to the war. Neighbors reached out to Caritas Kamianske, which organized assistance for her.

Thanks to the “S.U.P.E.R. Emergency Assistance and Rehabilitation for Ukraine’s Population” project, Larysa received a walker and a wheelchair, marking her first steps toward mobility and partial independence. The foundation assigned a social worker to help her adapt to new conditions, learn to use the walker and wheelchair, and support her with household chores, delivering food packages, and hygiene supplies.

In addition to hot meals provided by the foundation, Larysa received food packages and hygiene supplies from project partners. A nurse monitors her health, measuring blood pressure, conducting cardiograms, and checking blood sugar levels. Online consultations with a doctor are also available if needed.

A psychologist helps Larysa overcome the emotional pain of losing her nephew, loneliness, and stress, which adversely affect her condition. Thus, project specialists have created a comprehensive support system for Larysa, encompassing material, medical, and psychological assistance. This not only improves her quality of life but also allows her to feel cared for and supported during this difficult period.

“Shelters” Project, Chortkiv

Ms. Danuta Yulianivna Derkach, a resident of Chortkiv, is in her tenth decade of life. She has led a challenging life. Thirty-six years ago, she became a widow and single-handedly raised two children, living to see her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She dedicated forty years of her life to her beloved work as a head cashier. Now she lives alone, as her children and grandchildren, who lived in the Sumy region, fled the war to seek a better future abroad. Despite her advanced age, Danuta continues to cook, clean, and do her laundry.

Living on a small pension, much of which goes toward medication, Danuta must limit herself in everything. When she read on the Facebook page of Caritas Chortkiv about the distribution of food products for low-income elderly residents of Chortkiv, she immediately sought help.

Unable to carry the heavy box of products home, Danuta Yulianivna received assistance from Caritas Chortkiv’s social workers, who not only delivered the package to the other end of the city but also helped carry it up to her fifth-floor apartment.

Despite loneliness and the war, Ms. Danuta remains optimistic and joyful about life. When asked about the secret to her longevity, the pensioner smiles and replies, “I lived truthfully, loved God and people. That’s why, even at 92, I have faith that everything will be alright!”

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