"The husband is dead, the son drinks." Residents' stories of self-contained living

Correspondents of "7 Days" spent a day in a home of independent comfortable living for the elderly and found out what brings them here, who can count on a place and how much it will cost.

The house of independent comfortable living for the elderly in the agro-town of Voikovo, Uzdensky district, was opened in December 2015. The place was not chosen by chance: in the village there is a medical outpatient clinic, a post office, a bank branch, and several shops. The building itself looks no different from an ordinary rural house. All communications are connected to it: electricity, water supply, gas supply, sewerage. Inside there are two living rooms: one is designed for two people, the other - for one. Each tenant has a separate bed, wardrobe and several bedside tables. There is a kitchen with all necessary appliances, a living room with a large sofa and TV, two bathrooms and a washing machine.

According to the HEAD of the department of social assistance at home of the territorial center of social services for the population of the Uzdensky district Zhanna Gavrilchik, not only lonely people are accepted to such a house:

- Any elderly people, as well as disabled people of working age who need housing, are accepted here. True, they must be able to serve themselves: we will not take a lying person. Although a social worker comes here, he is only there to measure blood pressure, bring medicines, call a DOCTOR. It can also help with cleaning or cooking. Everything else is done by the residents themselves. Therefore, our guests pay only for renting the premises: in winter - 160 rubles, in summer - 80, since the cost of a communal apartment at this time of the year is less.

Now two people live permanently in the house. 85-year-old Galina Khronovskaya from the village of Lithuania moved here five years ago:

- The husband died, and we were left alone with our son. He has a drinking problem, so I decided to move out. I learned from friends that a house appeared in our area where old people like me can live. I feel comfortable here, nobody touches me. If necessary, I can go to my place in Lithuania for a couple of days to meet with my girlfriends, visit my son or see my daughter, who lives in a neighboring village. She called to her, offered a separate room. But I answer her that as long as I move on my own legs, I won’t go anywhere, I’m fine here too. I can take care of myself: wash the floors and cook something, it’s not for nothing that I worked as a cook for so many years. Plus, they gave me a vegetable garden nearby, where I grow potatoes, beets, cucumbers, greens. So everything is great. Only a girlfriend would still be here, so that it would not be so boring.

58-year-old Alexander Charey was in the house four years ago. After serving his sentence in prison, he was left homeless. For some time, the man says, he stayed overnight with friends and acquaintances, and then ended up in the hospital:

- I am disabled of II group. When my son died, I experienced serious stress due to nervousness, epileptic seizures began to bother me. The doctors found out about my situation and offered two options: either go to a nursing unit or go to a self-living home when I get back to normal. I chose the second, because I can take care of myself and I do not need specific medical care. It's good, and there's plenty to do. During the day I sometimes help local residents with work on the site, and in the evening I read books or watch TV.

Galina Vasilievna and Alexander Mikhailovich are looked after by social worker Valentina Parmon. Every weekday she comes to help them with various chores. For example, before the New Year, she set up and decorated a Christmas tree, and on December 31, together with Galina Vasilievna, she prepared a festive dinner.

- We can just chat: an elderly person always lacks communication. And so they are generally quite independent. Vasilievna, despite her age, takes excellent care of herself, loves to go to the city: either to the market, or just for a walk. Such a moving grandmother. Mikhailovich is also a good fellow, a sympathetic person. He constantly cleans the paths from snow here, he is always ready to help, - Valentina Mikhailovna describes her wards.

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to live in a house of independent comfortable stay, however, Zhanna Gavrilchik notes, as a rule, the matter does not go further:

- Someone is embarrassed by the rent, which people consider too high. Others don't want to take any more risks because of the CORONAVIRUS situation. Still, you can live alone in your house, but here there are several people. But we have already helped to find peace and provide comfortable conditions for two guests, and this is a big deal.

Relatives regularly visit the residents of the house. Alexander Mikhailovich is visited by his brother, Galina Vasilievna by his son. However, sitting with friends or acquaintances in the kitchen over a cup of tea will not work here: discipline.

Gazebos were equipped on the territory of the house several years ago. Every summer, the social worker, together with the residents, plant flowers for beauty and comfort. Often people from the House of Culture come here with concerts.

Vadim BANNY,

photo - Pavel ORLOVSKY,

newspaper.