Community Center for the Elderly opens in Costuleni
The elderly residents of Costuleni, in the Ungheni district, have a saying: "The autumn of life is a new spring," often accompanied by smiles. For many of them, this phrase rings true as they actively participate in a local project that promotes healthy, active, and dignified aging. The seniors in the village now have their own community center, where they can paint, embroider, and engage in discussions with the young people from the area. The Community Center in Costuleni is the second of 15 centers scheduled to open in the districts of Telenești, Sângerei, and Ungheni.
Olga Barbacaru, a member of the Active Seniors Group in the area, believes that the time spent in this center will help many people forget their everyday worries, if only for a few hours, and enjoy beautiful moments together. She said, "We embroider, put on our glasses, exchange experiences, talk, and forget about our illnesses. Life is different here."
Other senior citizens from Costuleni also express that the activities organized at the center help them discover new skills they haven’t had the opportunity to try before, as well as stay active both physically and mentally. One participant shared, "I sewed my own clothes for the first time, so I wear them with pride. I love what I do. At home, we don’t have time, but to develop what we enjoy, we come here to the center. We are very pleased that this center is opening. Previously, we gathered at the Sătești library to work on our individual interests. Now, we are moving to a new center that is beautiful and offers us all the conditions to grow."
Another senior stated, "Old age requires socialization and communication, and there are those who still keep the fire burning at home. It's also important for future generations to see that beautiful things can be created even in later life."
One participant remarked on the transformation of the space, saying, "Seeing this room, you can’t believe what it was and what it has become. I visited out of curiosity. I can’t believe how much more spacious and hygienic it is now, with better facilities for a mini rest break, which is also necessary."
The community center in Costuleni was opened with the support of the HelpAge Moldova Organization, in collaboration with the Natives Association and local administration. By spring 2026, a total of 15 such centers are planned for inauguration. Dina Cibotaru, the program manager at HelpAge Moldova, mentioned that these spaces will provide seniors with opportunities for socialization and community involvement.
"Every fourth citizen is aged 60 and over, and these centers ensure that this significant portion of the population does not remain inactive and can capitalize on their potential. Here, they can socialize, learn new things, become familiar with digital technologies, and engage in sports, all of which help prevent illnesses. This reduces their need for healthcare or social assistance," Cibotaru stated during the “Zi de Zi” show on Radio Moldova.
In addition, Aliona Crețu, the head of the Demographic Policy Department within the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, indicated that over the past four years, the state has allocated more than three million lei to non-governmental organizations that run projects and events for the elderly.
"We promote intergenerational dialogue to ensure that the elderly can pass on their life experiences to younger generations and vice versa—the elderly can learn from the young, especially regarding information technologies. We advocate for the elderly to be involved in decision-making processes. Those who continue to learn, develop skills, and gain knowledge through various activities—be they economic, cultural, or volunteer—should remain part of the workforce," declared Crețu.
As of early 2025, the elderly population exceeded 616,000 people, making up just over a quarter of the total population and highlighting a significant demographic ageing trend.
Author: Svetlana Bogatu
