On Tuesday, May 10, in the Riga social care center “Mežciems”, new premises were opened after renovation, where, using the latest technologies and elements of universal design, there will be a family-type special supervision department for persons with dementia.
In the new department, fall sensors, staff call buttons, smart TVs have been created, as well as customer safety and the preservation of cognitive abilities. The newly created department uses examples of good practice from nursing institutions in Europe and the USA, and a lot of thought is put into the content side of this department and raising the qualifications of nursing staff.
During the repair, the electrical wiring, heating system and sewer pipes, which have worn out over time, were changed, new furniture, equipment and soft furnishings were placed, and the interior design was created. In total, about 370,000 euros were used to create the department.
“Our goal is to improve the care system in municipal social care institutions, turning them into modern centers where seniors can really spend their old age with dignity and care. The changes that the residents of the reconstructed building of the Riga social care center “Mežciems” will experience are a noteworthy step closer to Riga, where every social group receives the best possible service. These are the largest investments made in the infrastructure of social care centers in recent years,” emphasizes Viesturs Kleinbergs, chairman of the Social Issues Committee of the Riga City Council.
In accordance with the center’s vision “The cosiest and most modern care center in Riga with satisfied customers and satisfied employees”, a lot has been thought and done in recent years to improve the microclimate and working conditions of employees. Communication with customers’ relatives, employees and mutual communication has been improved with IT technologies. After carrying out repairs, customers’ living conditions are also improved by installing new furniture and purchasing technical aids (including functional beds, lifts, shower chairs, etc. equipment). Also, taking into account the clients’ individual functional evaluations and self-care abilities, sensor-controlled water taps, air quality meters, air exchange systems, lighting control are installed.
In order to ensure decent living conditions and quality of services for seniors and people with disabilities in Riga Municipality, also in care institutions, the work started will be continued by carrying out repairs with a complex approach.
In 2021, the project of the State Loan Program “Implementation of anti-fall system technology in social care centers and clients’ homes – smart patient monitoring system” was implemented in three social care centers of the Riga Municipality in nursing homes. During the project, 160 sensors of the smart client monitoring system were installed to ensure monitoring of multiple indicators and timely response of care workers, as well as to reduce unnecessary contact of care workers with clients, especially in cases of rapid spread of Covid-19. The total cost of the project was 348,000 euros.
Riga social care center “Mežciems” started its operation in 1975. It is located in the quiet and green area of Riga – Mežciem, Malienas street 3A. The center provides round-the-clock social care, social rehabilitation and medical care for clients, as well as a living area arranged according to the clients’ needs and functional condition. Customers are provided with seasonally appropriate clothing and footwear. Customers are provided with meals four times a day, if necessary – dietary meals. Clients of the center live in 77 single and 58 double rooms.
