EU NEIGHBOURS east. In Armenia, growing old comes with daunting challenges, often including insufficient pensions, social isolation and limited access to healthcare, especially for those living alone. For the elderly displaced by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the struggle is even greater with unstable housing, lack of employment and essential services. In the town of Goris, nestled in the Syunik region of Armenia, a local NGO, ‘The Partnership Arch’ is making a transformative change. With support from EU funding via People in Need, it has launched elderly care initiatives, providing 37 seniors with not just support, but a renewed sense of belonging and hope.
One of them is Susanna, a 65-year-old woman who first came to the centre isolated and withdrawn after many years of living alone. “At first, she barely spoke to anyone,” recalls Karine Avetisyan, President of The Partnership Arch. “But one day, during an event, something incredible happened – Susanna started singing. We soon learned that she had once been a singing teacher, but life’s hardships and a neurological illness had silenced her passion for years. That day, after so much silence, her voice filled the room again, touching everyone’s hearts. From then on, she became a vibrant part of our musical events, teaching songs to other elderly residents. Susanna’s story is the proof that a caring environment and a dedicated support can breathe in new life, even to those weighed down by years of loneliness and disappointment.”
Karine Avetisyan
The Partnership Arch NGO has been working with the elderly and vulnerable groups for over 30 years. Initially providing food services to those in need, over time they realised that food aid alone was not enough. Elderly individuals required social and psychological support, medical care and a space where they could engage with others. With the help of EU funding, the NGO launched the Elderly Daycare Centre, an initiative that provides a comprehensive range of services, such as medical consultations, psychological support, recreational activities and personal care (grooming, minor clothing repair). Moreover, the NGO’s team is at hand to guide the seniors on issues related to pensions, social assistance programmes and financial aid. “Our goal is to ensure a dignified ageing process and help elderly individuals regain a sense of purpose in their lives,” explains Karine.
The Day Care Centre offers personalised care through continuous health monitoring. Beneficiaries receive medical consultations – from a therapist and an ophthalmologist – and continuous support from the Centre’s nurse who assists them in measuring blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as in the correct administration of medicine. Additionally, a five-day salt therapy session was conducted for several beneficiaries, helping to reduce allergic reactions, mitigate chronic disease risks and enhance respiratory health.
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Psychological support is also a priority at the Centre. Both individual and group sessions have been instrumental for reducing social isolation, alleviating depression, relieving stress, improving self-esteem and cognitive stimulation through fine motor activities.
Celebrations at the Centre are more than just events – they’re moments of joy, connection and empowerment for the elderly people. Cultural excursions, such as visits to the homes-museums of iconic Armenian writers Aksel Bakunts and Sero Khanzadyan, have deepened the participants’ cultural knowledge and appreciation. Joint celebrations of Easter, the International Day of Older Persons, Mother’s Day and other events offered excellent opportunities for social interaction, strengthening bonds and encouraging the sharing of treasured memories.
Jemma Gogoryan, a 76-year-old woman, found solace and companionship at the Centre after being displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh. “For years, I felt alone and forgotten. But here I’ve made new friends, received health check-ups and participated in social gatherings. I feel important and valued again,” she confesses. Spartak Abrahamyan, a 60-year-old displaced from Stepanakert, shares a similar experience: “I live alone and don’t have proper communal facilities, so the food assistance has been a lifeline for me. But beyond that, the Centre’s social activities – a forest excursion and celebrations – helped me reconnect with life. The New Year’s event was unforgettable, it brought back childhood memories and made me feel truly cared for.“
Jemma Gogoryan
For those unable to visit the Day Care Centre, The Partnership Arch NGO provide home care services. The NGO’s team – a social worker, a psychologist, a nurse and care assistants – have reached 16 beneficiaries, including five elderly individuals forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh. The team provided hands-on assistance with daily tasks, like cleaning, cooking or grocery shopping, and offered vital emotional and psychological support. “Our team created an environment where the seniors felt heard and valued,” says Karine Tatintsyan, a social worker. “Many elderly, especially those living alone, started to see us as their family. For them, we were not just social workers or caregivers but people with whom they could share their life stories, joys and hardships.”
Home care services have been essential to the Goris community, ensuring support to those in need. The EU assistance significantly strengthened the NGO’s administrative and financial capacities, making it eligible for state funding. As a result, even after EU financing ended, The Partnership Arch NGO continues elderly care through a state grant programme, co-funded by the Goris Municipality. This initiative stands as a strong example of collaboration between the state, municipal authorities and the NGO sector for the well-being of senior citizens.
The participation of civil society organisations, such as The Partnership Arch, plays a vital role in social initiatives. NGOs maintain a closer connection with the communities they serve, with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly. While state institutions may struggle to meet the diverse needs of all social groups, NGOs step in to bridge these gaps by offering additional services, such as individual psychological support, professional training and social inclusion programmes. Their involvement ensures a more human-centred and holistic approach that creates an environment where the elderly feel supported, engaged and empowered to live with dignity.
Authors: Volha Prokharava, Kristine Hovhannisyan
