The article examines the point of convergence between two heterogeneous crises: an acute humanitarian crisis driven by the forced migration of Ukrainian refugees, and a protracted systemic crisis of psychogeriatric care in American nursing homes. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of psychological support practices used in work with refugees and to provide a theoretical and applied rationale for transferring their key principles into the architecture of elder care. The methodological basis includes a comparative analysis of the psychological needs of two vulnerable groups, a systematic review of scientific publications for 2019–2025, and a case study analysis grounded in the author’s experience of cooperation with UNHCR and empirical data from U.S. long-term care facilities. The results confirm that Ukrainian refugees have an extremely high risk of developing PTSD (47,2%), as well as anxiety and depressive disorders, which necessitates the implementation of adaptive, trauma-informed approaches. At the same time, it is revealed that the geriatric care system in the United States suffers from structural deficits: one in five residents is diagnosed with severe mental disorders, while pharmacological containment strategies predominate (antipsychotic drugs are prescribed to 20,4% of patients) along with reactive hospitalization practices. As a response, the author proposes a modular program for integrating psychosocial interventions; its effectiveness corresponds with the findings of the OPTIMISTIC and WHELD projects, which demonstrate a reduction in preventable hospitalizations by 19–33% and improvements in quality-of-life indicators. The material is addressed to health policy makers, clinical psychologists, managers of long-term care institutions, and researchers studying issues of vulnerable populations.

Ukrainian refugees, older adults, nursing homes, psychological support, crisis intervention, trauma-informed approach

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