Home care is currently one of the most in-demand social services in Riga, said Riga City Council representative Antra Gabre. This service is most often used by people who live alone. Or people whose relatives, due to age, health, or employment, cannot provide them with the necessary care. The service can be received both in the form of physical assistance and as financial support.
The Number of Clients is Increasing
In the first three months of this year, 7,114 residents of Riga received home care services. Of these, 6,493 were adults, and 621 were children. This is an increase of 286 people compared to the first quarter of 2025.
In monetary terms: in the first three months of the year, a total of 9,968,888 euros was spent on home care in Riga, which is 149,740 euros more than in the same period of 2025.
At the same time, the number of people requiring intensive care has significantly increased. This is not surprising: the population is aging, and the health conditions of residents are becoming more complex. The number of people with dementia is also on the rise, city authorities noted.
They Left, Leaving the Elderly Behind
Most recipients of social care services are lonely individuals, retirees. They are alone not only because their relatives, spouse, or others have passed away but also because their children and grandchildren have emigrated from Latvia, as recently stated by the Saeima's Commission on Social and Labor Affairs.
To improve the situation with long-term care in Latvia, it is necessary to develop combined medical and social care services, industry experts believe. At the same time, if possible, care should be provided at the person's place of residence.
"From a human rights perspective, the best place for a person to live is their own home," officials at the Ombudsman’s Office explained to journalists.
One practical solution in this situation is obvious: if there are relatives in Latvia, one can register as a "social caregiver" for a mother, mother-in-law, etc.
How Much is Paid for Care
As we have already reported, the Riga municipality approved changes to the social services system in Riga this May - some types of assistance have been increased to match the current rise in prices:
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the amount of municipal co-financing for home care services has increased from 610 euros per month to 690 euros per month.
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it is stipulated that in emergency situations, the municipality also covers the costs of short-term care in an institution without income verification if care cannot be provided at home;
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co-financing for psychological support services has increased from 38 to 43 euros,
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municipal funding for temporary child care services has increased from 5,030 euros to 8,550 euros per year;
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the right to receive day care services for individuals with very severe mental disorders has been expanded, and a new type of co-financing for participation in certain social rehabilitation programs for children with functional disorders has been introduced. It is planned that the co-financing will amount to up to 4,500 euros per year and will be provided to up to 100 families.
How to Apply for Home Assistance
This can be done through the Social Service of your municipality.
First, you need to write an application to the district branch of the Social Service at the place of residence of the person in need. The process will proceed as follows:
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Assessment of the situation. A social worker will visit the person at home to assess their physical condition, ability to self-care, and determine the necessary number of care hours (up to 25 hours per week).
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A conclusion from the family doctor (form No. 027/u) confirming that the person requires home care will be needed.
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The service makes a decision on the allocation of the service and determines the amount of co-financing.
Possible options for providing the service:
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The municipality enters into a contract with a specialized organization (for example, the Latvian Red Cross or other firms), and a certified caregiver comes to the person.
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Care by relatives. In Riga and several other municipalities, there is a program under which a family member can officially register and receive money for caring for their loved one if the Social Service approves their candidacy.
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Medical home care. If a person requires not just household assistance but medical procedures (injections, dressings), such a service is prescribed by the family doctor or the attending physician at the hospital. It is funded from the state budget by the National Health Service.
...Everything can be arranged electronically if the elderly person has that capability. But if not, a third party can deliver the application to the social service, but the document must be signed by the future client.
The Social Service must make a decision within one month after receiving all required documents.
