Slow Steps Toward Strength for Elders at VOAH

Slowly and carefully, Izolda grandma places her right foot, her stronger leg, on the next step. Then, with gentle precision, she lifts her left and moves her cane in rhythm. “Being old is not a happiness,” she says with a smile, continuing her way to her bedroom on the second floor of the Vanadzor Old Age Home (VOAH).

84-year-old Izolda Martirosyan, called Zoya tatik by everyone, was once full of energy. She used to start every morning with exercises and daily routines that kept her active. But with age, joint pain made movement difficult. Now she often needs help from a nurse to dress and undress, and she relies on her walking cane, something she began using on the advice of VOAH nurse Mariam Hovhannisyan, to reduce the risk of falls and support her mobility.

Together with 10 other nurses and caregivers, Mariam recently took part in three professional training sessions under the “Multidisciplinary Training for Nurses in Elderly Care” program. Conducted by leading specialists in geriatric care and therapy, the training focused on topics such as mobility and safety, functional activity, independence, control of pelvic muscles and breathing-all key to improving elders’ quality of life.

Launched in June, the program became possible thanks to the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA), which aims to enhance the well-being of over 65 residents at VOAH by strengthening staff capacity, digitizing health records, and upgrading electronic systems - including safety devices to better monitor residents’ mobility throughout the building.

“The training topics were specifically related to elder care, with a main focus on mobility and safety skills, mastering techniques that promote independence, and creating an adapted environment,” explains Manushak Ohanyan, Executive Director of Vanadzor Old Age Home. “This kind of professional development is essential; it helps caregivers support our elders in leading fulfilling and dignified lives as they age.”

With Mariam’s guidance, Zoya tatik has not only participated actively in the program’s practical sessions but has also begun improving her daily exercise routine. “This is very important for people like her, who have early-stage Parkinson’s disease,” says Mariam. “We’ve introduced breathing and posture exercises to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls, especially when climbing stairs.”

Looking ahead, the establishment of a unified electronic medical database at VOAH will allow caregivers to record, track, and respond to elders’ health needs more efficiently ensuring that every step is supported by knowledge, compassion, and care.

The “Multidisciplinary Training for Nurses in Elderly Care” program was launched in June 2025 with grant funding from the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA). The program aims to improve the quality of life for Armenian elders by enhancing the skills of caregivers and strengthening elder care services. Through the program, FAR has expanded its comprehensive medical, psychological, and social support for over 65 seniors at the Vanadzor Old Age Home. The partnership also seeks to establish national care standards and improve access to essential services in underserved regions, promoting aging with dignity across Armenia.