hooldekodude

Hooldekodud are long-term residential facilities in Estonia that provide 24-hour care for adults who cannot live independently due to age, illness, or disability. They combine housing with personal care, meals, medication management, and help with daily activities. Many facilities also offer nursing support, rehabilitation services, and social activities, and some have units tailored to dementia or palliative care.

Hooldekodud can be municipal institutions or private providers. They operate under national social welfare and health legislation and are subject to inspection and licensing by authorities such as the Ministry of Social Affairs (Sotsiaalministeerium) and the Health Board (Terviseamet). Quality standards cover staffing, safety, care plans, and resident rights.

Admission is typically based on an assessment by local social welfare authorities to determine the level of 24-hour care needed. Funding usually comes from a combination of municipal budgets and client co-payments; some residents receive state or social benefits for long-term care. Private-pay options are common in many facilities.

Facilities vary in size and layout, with single or shared rooms and 24-hour care teams including carers and nurses. In addition to daily living support, they provide meals, mobility assistance, medication administration, and access to rehabilitation services. Some homes offer specialized dementia care units or palliative care pathways.

Overall, hooldekodud play a central role in Estonia's long-term care system, supporting older people and others who need round-the-clock assistance. Regional differences in capacity and staffing reflect ongoing efforts to improve access, quality, and workforce sustainability in the aging population.