How Dorcas supports older people
Dignity and rights of older people
Older people have the right to live with dignity, to be seen, heard and to take part in the communities they belong to. Yet poverty, isolation and limited access to social protection can leave older people excluded.
At Dorcas, we believe older people should be seen and valued for who they are and what they bring to their communities and societies. Through our Community Safety Nets, we work with older people and their communities in Moldova, Ukraine, Romania, Albania, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Egypt. Together, we strengthen social connections and access to support, while creating space for older people to remain active, have a voice and participate in community life.
This is part of our commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of older people, recognising their agency and ensuring that their knowledge, experience and contributions are valued. Our work with older people continues throughout the year. On International Day of Older Persons, we put an extra focus on these rights and on celebrating the lives, contributions and value of older people.
Our approach
Dorcas works with older people through Community Safety Nets (CSNs), community-based networks that connect people who need support with the people, organisations and services around them. Depending on the local context, this can include family members, neighbours, volunteers, churches, community organisations, health workers and local authorities.
We work with existing community structures and strengthen the connections between them, helping improve access to social support and services, reduce isolation and create opportunities for older people to remain connected and participate in community life. Our long-term presence and partnerships with local organisations provide a strong foundation for this approach.
Dorcas is an organisation that really invests in working with older people. The older people of today brought us to where we are. They did the work and raised children. It is important to look after them. The first thing many older people tell me is how much they value the contact, and being seen.We build a network around older people: a network of neighbours, church members, volunteers and, where possible, family members. But we also focus on working with local authorities and businesses.
‘Life used to be very hard, but now I feel hopeful again'
Maria (78) lives in rural Tanzania and is solely responsible for caring for her seven-year-old granddaughter, Queenie. For years, they faced significant challenges, including limited access to food, adequate clothing and the resources needed to maintain their home. Since joining Dorcas’ Community Safety Net programme, Maria has gained access to support that has strengthened her wellbeing, resilience and ability to care for her granddaughter.
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IDOP 2026
This year, Dorcas is celebrating International Day of Older Persons in seven countries around the theme ‘Seen and valued – rights and dignity of older people’.
The theme reflects our commitment to the rights and dignity of older people and to recognising their value and contributions. It also draws attention to the challenges many older people face, including poverty, loneliness and social isolation.
Why we celebrate IDOP
International Day of Older Persons is an important moment for Dorcas to highlight the rights and dignity of older people and draw attention to the issues that can affect their lives. It is also an opportunity to recognise the contributions of older people and bring communities together around their rights and dignity.
In the seven countries where we work with older people through our Community Safety Nets, we:
- Organise celebrations that bring people together.
- Recognise older people’s contributions.
- Create space for communities, organisations and policymakers to join hands in supporting their rights and dignity.
Watch our video to see what an IDOP celebration looks like in Egypt.
I work with older people in eastern Ukraine. Due to the conflict, many of them have become very lonely as they’ve been left behind by their relatives. The aim of my work is therefore to develop Community Safety Nets for older people. These are places where they can support each other, communicate, develop their skills, receive encouragement from volunteers, and learn that they are not forgotten.By taking part in various activities, older people can forget about fear and danger, and feel heard and valued.
