Improving Social Care Services: Study on Quality-of-Life Factors in Social Care Institution

Description

Objectives*
The study examines factors affecting clients' quality of life at Riga Municipality Social Care Center "Gailezers," focusing on six domains: autonomy, relationships, activities, environment, food, and quality of care. It identifies variations based on demographics, language, room occupancy, a.o., aiming to propose actionable recommendations for improving service content and delivery.

Materials and Methods
Three methods were used: interviews with 95 clients, a focus group with six staff members, and a one-week covert observation of clients. A checklist adapted from Johs-Artisensi and Hansen guided evaluations across six quality-of-life domains. Clients were selected based on cognitive and physical abilities, with observations offering deeper insights. Statistical analysis explored differences in quality-of-life ratings by room occupancy and demographics.

Results
The "Relationship" factor received the highest client ratings, while the "Environment" factor scored lowest, especially among older clients, revealing inadequacies in the institution’s physical and social settings. Shared room occupants reported significantly lower quality-of-life scores (p = 0.003), contrasting with staff views that shared rooms promote communication. Staff emphasized privacy's importance and suggested limiting room sharing to two clients.

Observations revealed diverse environmental conditions and discomfort among clients. Dissatisfaction stemmed from meal monotony and caregivers' heavy workloads, impacting service quality. Staff attributed limited meal variety to resource constraints but deemed catering generally adequate. Participation in activities depended on clients' psychological states, with initial encouragement often yielding positive outcomes. Feedback stressed the need for outdoor opportunities, customizable meals, and greater engagement from relatives.

Conclusions
The findings highlight key areas for improving quality of life in social care institutions. Enhancing privacy, comfort, and meal variety, along with reducing room occupancy, is essential. Balancing shared spaces for socialization with clients’ need for privacy is crucial. Addressing caregiver workloads, tailoring activities to preferences, and encouraging family engagement can further improve care quality, fostering a more client-centered environment and elevating overall satisfaction.

Track
Society. Health. Welfare

Period	28 Mar 2025
Event title	RSU Research week 2025
Event type	Conference
Organiser	Rīga Stradiņš University
Location	Rīga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	National