During the meeting, Ilze Zosule and Ilze Neimane-Nešpora, co-founders of Hospiss LV, presented the concept of the planned day centre, its goals, functions and role in improving the quality of life of terminally ill patients. Andris Vārna, Member of the Board of State Real Estate (VNĪ), gave an insight into the technical condition of the building, its accessibility and the support of state institutions for such a project of public importance
implementation. Architect Brigita Bula presented the layout of the premises and the vision for their future design.
From the beginning of 2024, state-funded palliative care in the patient's home, provided by mobile care teams, is available in Latvia, but the experience of Hospiss LV shows that, unfortunately, some hospice patients live in poor or unsanitary conditions, and not always the conditions at home allow to provide all the services needed by the patient.
"Our team has seen the real conditions in which some hospice patients are forced to live - for example, in garden houses without flooring, where people sleep on a mattress placed directly on the ground. There are dwellings with no water supply or electricity connection. Sleeping patients are covered with wet wipes for months, but they also crave warm, running water, but there is no way to accommodate special
adapted baths to provide this service," says Ilze Zosule, co-founder of Hospiss LV.
The Hospice Day Centre will be a place where patients can receive holistic care - medical and hygiene services as well as emotional, social and spiritual support. The Hospice Day Centre will also give patients the opportunity to socialise - to share experiences and feelings with people in similar situations. This interaction not only reduces feelings of loneliness but also provides emotional support, as these people are able to understand each other in a depth that no one else can.
"We are really pleased to have the opportunity to breathe new life into this historic Saxon building, which is important for the citizens of Riga, and to make it a useful, easy-to-find and accessible place for services. The Hospice Day Centre should become another safe support point for people facing a terminal illness - a place to receive not only professional medical and psychosocial help, but also human presence, care and peace of mind," explains Zosule.
At the day centre, you will be able to wash in running water - which is unfortunately not possible for many patients at home - receive medical and nursing advice, appropriate medical manipulation, and support from a psychologist or social worker. Volunteers will help to create a cosy, warm atmosphere - they will be there with a cup of tea or ice-cream, a chat or just their presence in the silence. Patients will also be able to receive additional services, such as haircuts, which help to maintain self-esteem and provide comfort. At the same time, the day centre will provide a moment of respite for loved ones, knowing that their loved one is safe and cared for. Accessibility for sleeping patients will also be considered, with specialised transport to and from the centre. "At the same time, the fact that the Hospice Day Centre will be located in the heart of the city sends a clear message to the public. People facing serious illness are not somewhere far away or invisible - they are our fellow human beings. They are part of our society, as important as anyone else. We must not isolate or forget them. On the contrary, we must show that hospice patients can still be there for the movement and for society. We hope that in this place patients will feel not only cared for, but also happier. Maybe someone will remember buying shoes for their graduation here in Saxony years ago, and these memories will allow them to relive the most beautiful moments of their lives for a moment," Zosule continues.
Architect Birigta Bula explained that the creation of a hospice day centre in the heart of Riga is a significant and even revolutionary development both in providing practical, accessible care for people at the end of life, and in raising public awareness of the importance of providing respectful and quality support at this stage of life.
"When thinking about the design of the Hospice Day Centre, I think it is important to combine two things - to restore the meaning of the place and the memories it holds in the hearts of many Rigans, and to create a cosy, habitable and in every sense pleasant, healing space for Hospice patients and staff," said Bula at the meeting.
Cooperation with public institutions is essential for socially important projects with long-term impact, such as the establishment of a hospice day centre. "The Hospiss LV team is grateful to the State Real Estate for its support. This cooperation demonstrates their understanding and willingness to participate in the development of the healthcare and social sectors, creating a place where people at the end of life can receive respectful, professional and
humane care. "Throughout the ages, various companies and organisations have been housed in Saktas House, each with its own mission, but all together playing an important role in the hearts of the people of Riga. With Hospiss Māja joining the tenants on the ground floor, we hope it will become a beacon for good deeds and support. We are confident that together we will be able to tell the Hospiss LV message louder and wider, so that support
reach everyone who really needs it," says Andris Vārna, Member of the Board of SJSC "Valsts nekustamie īpašumi".
