Ukrainian grandmother celebrates 90th birthday after safe arrival in Australia

A Ukrainian refugee grandmother has turned 90 in Australia after finding a new home at Regis Nedlands in Perth.

Tamara Plastovets, who came to Perth in April with her daughter Olena, joined her granddaughters and their families following a long journey and was soon placed in Regis Nedlands after a meeting with Nedlands Mayor Fiona Argyle, Ukrainian ambassador to Australia Vasyl Myroshnychenko, and the local Ukrainian association.

Olena Yukhymets, Tamara’s granddaughter, said it felt “like a miracle” to have found her grandmother somewhere to live close to her and her sister’s homes.

“When war started in February my mother and grandmother had no intention of leaving Ukraine; when the air raid sirens went off during the night they’d go down to the basement, though my grandmother was too frail to walk down the stairs and it was just too cold down there for her.

“After they had no choice but to flee to Poland, we were so grateful that the Australian government granted them a visa, and then to receive this offer of a real sanctuary for my grandmother here in Perth is just incredible.

“Regis Nedlands looks just like a five-star hotel and not like how we imagined an aged care home to look at all, everyone we’ve dealt with there has been so helpful and kind,” she said.

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A special thanks to our contributors

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Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

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Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

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Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.