HOW TO ACCOMMODATE AN ELDERLY PERSON IN A RETIREMENT HOME: IN SIMPLE WORDS ABOUT THE COMPLEX
A person gets older – and that’s normal. Over the years, their strength is not the same, everyday life becomes a challenge, and loneliness becomes harder than arthritis. It is especially painful when relatives want to help, but simply cannot: work, children, loans, life.
And then the question arises: is it possible to place an elderly person in a nursing home and pay for it only from their pension?
It is possible. But there are nuances.
Caring is not just words: what is “Symbol of Goodness”
The boarding house “Symbol of Goodness” is not a “home for the elderly”, but a space where old age does not mean loneliness. Here, gray hair is not ashamed, canes are not hidden, and memory, which sometimes fails, is not afraid.
We replace anxiety with peace. Exhaustion with care. Loneliness with communication. And most importantly: we do it with dignity.
How much does it cost to live – and will the pension be enough?
The number one question from relatives: “How much does a house for the elderly cost?”
In Ukraine, the average pension today is about UAH 5,300. The minimum is about UAH 2,600. This money is usually enough for food and utilities, but not for quality care.
In our boarding house, the basic package (food, accommodation, hygiene, medical supervision) costs from 12,000 UAH/month. That is:
- if a person receives 5,000 UAH of pension, about 7,000 UAH remains to be covered;
- this difference is often covered by relatives;
- or pensioners rent out their apartment (for example, 8,000–10,000 UAH in Kyiv) – and pay for the boarding house in full without the help of children.
That is, it is realistic to place a grandmother or grandfather in a boarding house for a pension + rent.
And importantly: at Simvol Dobra we never take away property. The apartment remains your property.
Easier than a state nursing home
To get into a state nursing home, you have to go through a real quest: dozens of references, waiting in line, months or even years. And the conditions there often leave much to be desired.
Everything is simpler at “Symbol of Good”:
- you only need a passport and a medical certificate;
- there are always places;
- no one forces you to prove that “life is hard”.
We don’t force you to wait – we accept.
What is included in the accommodation?
In the boarding house “Symbol of Good” each resident receives:
- comfortable housing (single or double occupancy);
- 24/7 care;
- monitoring of medication intake;
- medical support;
- assistance with hygiene;
- cultural program: concerts, master classes, live communication.
That is, this is not “survival”, but a normal, human life.
Real-life example
Ms. Olena, 78, receives a pension of 5,200 UAH. Her two-room apartment in Kyiv is rented for 9,000 UAH.
With this money, she covers the cost of living in a boarding house (about 12,000 UAH). Her daughter does not have to constantly take vacations to care for her mother. And Ms. Olena lives in safety, communicates with others, attends art therapy classes.
This is a simple and honest option that relieves the burden on the family.
If rehabilitation is needed
After a stroke, surgery, or serious illness, it is important not to miss the chance to bring a person back to life. At “Symbol of Good” we create individual recovery plans: neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, massage therapists, and psychologists work.
And the most important thing is attention and patience. Because without this, medicine is powerless.
What documents are needed?
Everything is as simple as possible:
- passport;
- medical certificate from a doctor;
- health insurance policy (if any).
No certificates of income of relatives or court decisions.
In short
Pension is not a sentence. Old age is not the end of life.
At “Symbol of Good” we prove it every day: here you can live with dignity even when your strength is gone.
📞 Call us or leave a request on the website 👉 symvoldobra.kyiv.ua
Because old age is not a cross. It is just a new stage of life. And it can be bright.
Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Citizens’ Homes
1. Can I pay for the homestay with just my pension?
Yes, if my pension is enough to cover the basic package of services. If not, relatives often help or expenses are compensated by renting an apartment. This is how many residents live in Simvol Dobra: pension + rent completely cover the expenses.
2. How much does it cost to stay in a nursing home in Kyiv?
On average, from 12,000 UAH/month in private boarding houses. State boarding houses are formally free for some categories (veterans, people with disabilities), but there are long queues and not always decent conditions.
3. What documents are needed for settlement?
In our boarding house, a passport and a medical certificate from a doctor are enough. Additionally, you can have a health insurance policy. No income certificates or court decisions are required.
4. Does the boarding house take the apartment from the elderly person?
No. In private boarding houses, such as “Symbol of Goodness”, the property remains with the owner. Moreover, the apartment can be rented out and thus pay for the stay.
5. How does a private boarding house differ from a public one?
- In a public one, there is bureaucracy, queues, limited places.
- In a private one, there is quick registration (1–2 documents), modern conditions, constant care and a cultural program.
- With us, there are always places, and we accept without humiliation.
6. Is there medical care at the boarding house?
Yes. Doctors, nurses, and rehabilitation specialists work at Simvol Dobra. We monitor medication intake, and provide assistance after surgeries and strokes.
