As the population of elderly and special needs individuals in need of assistance continues to grow, the demand for supportive services and quality care is increasing. Communities that provide supportive and caring living conditions are not just for those in need of help; they strengthen society as a whole. In Oslo, a housing complex is being planned to accommodate autistic youth. Each young person will have their own apartment while also having the opportunity for communal activities. The community sees this as a natural part of neighborhood life, showcasing the importance of social integration.
The harsh reality of statistics and future solutions
The Estonian care system faces a crucial question: how to ensure quality assistance to a growing number of individuals with special needs in the face of limited resources? Perhaps it is worth considering incorporating special care solutions into residential planning in Estonia. This would be a long-term strategic decision with effects reaching decades into the future.
Statistics do not lie: despite an increase in life expectancy, the number of healthy years lived has not shown the same rise, and mental health issues are becoming a significant challenge. The latest mental health survey revealed that nearly a quarter of adults have received a psychiatric diagnosis in the last five years, with depression and anxiety disorders being the most common. The need for special care services is also on the rise. Finding solutions is not just an economic necessity but also a question of social stability.
The future solutions lie in communities where immediate support and flexible services can make the care system not only more efficient but also more humane. We have taken a significant step in this direction with the reorganization of special care institutions. Previously, such institutions were often housed in old manor buildings or Soviet-era dormitories, but now people live in modern family-style houses and apartments.
Euro funds have helped communities thrive
Thanks to support from the European Regional Development Fund, 1725 special care services have been upgraded, and 517 new places for community living services have been created. Over the years, 14 outdated special care homes have been closed, replaced by modern family houses or smaller apartment buildings located in community centers, where people can enjoy more contemporary and homely living conditions. When planning these, we have focused on proximity to settlements, public services, and community services.
„New service locations must also take into account the population concentration in larger centers.“
With the support of Euro funds, we continue this process, and by 2029, new living units are planned to be established in Tallinn, Narva-Jõesuu, Kohtla-Järve, Võru, Paide, and Valka. When planning new service locations, we must also take into account the population concentration in larger centers such as Tallinn, Tartu, and their surrounding areas.
Why communities, after all?
The number of elderly and special needs individuals in need of assistance is increasing, leading to a growing demand for supportive services and quality care. Communities that provide supportive and caring living conditions are not just for those in need of help. They strengthen society as a whole.
Following the Scandinavian example
We like to take inspiration from Scandinavian countries, often seen as pioneers of social innovation. We have brought several of their solutions to Estonia, which have been successful there for years.
A good example is Norway, where local authorities develop entire attractive areas in the living environment to prevent problems and make them easily accessible to different socio-economic groups. One such example was the Oslo development mentioned at the beginning of the article, which included a home for autistic youth.
Perhaps in Estonia, we could start adding residential spaces for care services in detailed plans? This not only improves the living conditions and independence of individuals with special needs but also promotes their integration into the community and maintaining ties with their families.
Looking to the future, the state could consider support measures to help implement this type of integration. Asylums in need of restructuring would be a good opportunity to use Euro funds to implement such an approach in Estonia.
Despite various challenges, the renovation of special care institutions in Estonia has been successful. Through community support and involvement, the quality of social services has improved. Solutions lie in communities because demographic conditions and financial constraints force us to seek more sustainable ways for people to live independently and lead fulfilling lives for as long as possible.