Senior care crisis in Daugavpils: shortage of places and overworked staff
Demand for senior care is rising in Daugavpils, but the largest social care center has no vacancies, staff are overworked, and the hospital has closed its care unit, as CSP data shows the population is aging.
The largest social care center in Daugavpils is facing serious challenges – there are no available places, new clients cannot be admitted, and employees are overworked. The situation has worsened since June, when Daugavpils Regional Hospital closed its care unit, further reducing opportunities for seniors to receive the care they need.
These difficulties come against the backdrop of an aging population. The latest data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP) indicate that Latvia's population continues to age, meaning demand for senior care services will only increase in the future.
The current situation in Daugavpils is a stark example of how an aging society puts pressure on the social care system, which lacks both resources and human capacity to meet growing needs. Institutions are overloaded, and staff cannot cope with the increasing workload.
Although the article does not mention specific solutions, the problem is relevant not only in Daugavpils but across Latvia, where the rate of aging is among the highest in the European Union.
