Aizkraukle to pilot Latvia's first early support service for people with dementia

The Aizkraukle municipality has become a partner in a project run by the foundation 'Atbalsts pacientiem ar hroniskām slimībām Una cum' (Support for Patients with Chronic Diseases Una cum), aimed at creating a social rehabilitation service for people with cognitive impairments and early-stage dementia. The project is funded with support from the Society Integration Foundation, and the foundation itself holds public-benefit organization status and is registered as a social service provider.

The pilot's goal is to build a system that identifies and supports people with dementia earlier and in a more coordinated way, improving quality of life not only for patients but also for their families and informal caregivers. The project was presented to municipal council members by Zita Jēkabsone, chairwoman of the Latvian Alzheimer's Association board and an expert on dementia, aging and patient support. She said that, working together with the social service, people who could benefit from such support — but who do not yet have a diagnosis — are already being identified.

How the project will work

The project will run for 20 months in total and plans to involve 15 people, who will receive the service for one year, along with 20 of their family members. The approach draws on experience from Sweden and Estonia, specifically the so-called Finger method, which requires participants to change their lifestyle and daily habits.

According to Jēkabsone, providing help at an early stage allows people to retain — and even regain — skills needed for daily life for longer, whereas support becomes far less effective once the disease has progressed. Screening to detect impairments early is therefore also important. Jēkabsone noted that dementia is a challenge both for Latvia and globally, and that the experience gained through the project will help educate both staff and the wider public. The methodology developed will later be available for other municipalities to adopt.

To support the project, the Aizkraukle municipality will hand over premises at Lāčplēša iela 4 to the foundation free of charge for five years, and, in agreement with the local culture center, will allow use of its small hall for activities. Funding also covers renovation and adaptation of the premises.