Hooldekodus

Hooldekodus is a residential facility that provides long-term care for elderly or disabled people who need help with daily activities and ongoing medical supervision. In the Estonian social care system, such facilities are intended to offer a secure, supportive environment where residents can receive essential care while preserving dignity and, when possible, independence.

Typical services in a hooldekodu include 24-hour supervision, meals, personal and medical care, medication management, rehabilitation services, mobility aids, housekeeping, and a range of social or recreational activities. Care plans are tailored to each resident and updated regularly. Staffing generally comprises licensed nurses, care assistants, a resident doctor or on-call physician, physiotherapists or occupational therapists, and social workers.

Admission to a hooldekodu usually follows an assessment by municipal social services or hospital discharge planning. Funding is typically a mix of public subsidies, municipal support, and residents’ co-payments, with arrangements and eligibility criteria varying by region. Private facilities operate under similar principles but with different funding structures.

Regulation falls under health and social welfare authorities, with standards addressing safety, hygiene, residents’ rights, privacy, informed consent, and protection from abuse or neglect. Quality assurance may involve inspections, accreditation, and established complaint mechanisms.

Life in a hooldekodu emphasizes safety, daily routines, and opportunities for social engagement. While such facilities deliver essential support, they also face challenges, including staffing pressures and the need to maintain high-quality, person-centered care. Ongoing developments in Estonia aim to strengthen individualized care, family involvement, and community integration within long-term care.