Riga Municipality Works to Create Family-Like Environment in Social Care Centers

Strategic Insights -

The Riga Municipality in Latvia is striving to transform social care centers, also known as nursing homes, into welcoming environments that provide seniors and people with disabilities with a sense of coziness, safety, and respect. According to Inese Andersone, chairwoman of the committee, the goal is to create a family-like atmosphere where residents feel at home. This involves creating cozy spaces, personalized care, and opportunities for residents to stay connected with loved ones. Recently, the municipality has implemented several modernization initiatives, including the opening of a monitoring unit for clients with dementia at the Mezciems nursing home and the renovation of the Gailezers social care center.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Riga Municipality aims to create a family-like environment in social care centers, providing seniors and people with disabilities with coziness, safety, and respectful care.
  • The goal is to turn nursing homes into places where residents feel at home, with personalized care and opportunities for connections with loved ones.
  • The municipality has implemented several modernization initiatives, including the opening of a monitoring unit for clients with dementia at Mezciems nursing home and the renovation of Gailezers social care center.
  • The renovated Gailezers premises include three apartments, each housing 12 people, with living conditions designed to mimic a family environment.
  • The premises are equipped with pictograms, pictures, inscriptions, and instructions tailored to the needs and perception characteristics of people with dementia.
  • The Social Care Center "Gailezers" is the largest long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution in the Riga Municipality, housing 307 people.
  • The center provides 24-hour social care and social rehabilitation services to residents of the Riga Municipality.

Statistics:

  • 20 clients with dementia were served by the special monitoring unit opened at Mezciems nursing home in 2025.
  • 36 people live in the newly renovated premises at the Gailezers social care center.
  • 307 people are currently housed at the Social Care Center "Gailezers".
  • 3 apartments were created in the renovated Gailezers premises, each housing 12 people.

Sources:

  • [Riga Municipality news release]
  • [https://www.riga.lv/lv]