Helpage USA

Humanitarian assistance to older ukrainians: Helpage USA supported older people whose lives have been devasted by the war in ukraine with lifesaving assistance such as specially tailored food packages and clean water; hygiene kits, assistive devices and other essentials to keep them safe; mental health support and counseling; clean water and hygiene facilities. In addition, Helpage USA supported older refugees in poland to help them integrate and adapt within their new communities. Helpage USA also educated us government agencies, congress, and other stakeholders about the need for stronger inclusion of older people in humanitarian action.

Policy, education, and global network support: Helpage USA supports Helpage global network members and amplifies the voices of older people in low- and middle-income countries. We do this by building awareness among key us audiences of how older people are affected by humanitarian crises, a lack of income and age-appropriate health care, vulnerability to violence and abuse, and the need to ensure that older people have a voice in debates about policies that impact them.

Supporting older people as covid-19 vaccine ambassadors: Helpage USA supported a movement of older adults in Washington, dc, 60+ years of age, united in encouraging loved ones to get vaccinated and boosted against covid-19. 500 older people joined the movement, of which 96% were black adults. Members were equipped, via 24 educational sessions, with facts and techniques for engaging with others about the vaccine. An independent evaluation showed that the movement demonstrated the utility of community-led intergenerational and peer strategies to improve health literacy and build demand for covid-19 vaccines and boosters.

Financial literacy: in collaboration with the university of southern California, Helpage USA conducted stakeholder research to determine if a successful financial education program for older women in asia could work in the us. Ethiopia: supported by a grant from the state department bureau of population, refugees and migration, Helpage- in partnership with plan international and the rehabilitation and development organization (rado)- enabled a wide range of services to these older refugees, including psychosocial assistance, protection services to ensure that their rights are respected, homebased health care, transportation, and assistive devices.