The purpose for the provision of social care services is to ensure that quality of life does not decrease for persons who, due to their age, illness or functional disorders cannot ensure this quality through their own efforts. Social care services in Lithuania are provided and financed by the State and municipalities.
Purpose & Provision of social care services
The purpose for the provision of social care services is to ensure that quality of life does not decrease for persons who, due to their age, illness or functional disorders cannot ensure this quality through their own effort. A person’s right to receive social care services in certain life situations is a component of a person’s human right to health.
Social care services may be provided:
- at the place of residence of a person, ensuring home care and rehabilitation
- at day care and social rehabilitation institutions
- at group apartments (group houses)
- at service apartments, night shelters or shelters
- at long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions
Right to receive social care services
According to the Law on Social Services, citizens of Lithuania, foreigners (including persons with no citizenship) that have a permit to live in Lithuania and other persons in cases were an international treaty foresees such provision of services can receive social services.
The amount of payment for social services is determined considering the type of social services provided to the person (family) and the income and assets of the person (family). You can read the detailed Description of the procedure for payment for social services to find out what would apply to you.
Persons may receive social care services which are necessary for the person’s individual needs.
Read more about the right to health and persons with disabilities in this Guide.
Social care at long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions
Sometimes the best choice in providing social care services for a person is at a long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution. These institutions ensure housing, individual social care and social rehabilitation for a person. A long-term social care and social rehabilitation institution may also provide for the fulfillment of a medical treatment plan determined by a medical practitioner.
The Catalog of Social Services specifies which persons have the right to receive social services at long-term social care and social rehabilitation institutions.