While implementing EQUASS (the European Quality in Social Services system), Valakampiai Social Services Home approved the Concept of Quality of Life for the residents of Valakampiai Social Services Home.

Why is it needed? What is its purpose?

The Residents’ Quality of Life Concept was developed to ensure and improve residents’ quality of life so that it meets residents’ expectations and the quality-of-life standards established by legislation.

Sociologists and representatives of other professions provide different definitions of quality of life and identify various areas of quality of life.

Our organisation’s understanding of quality of life is that – quality of life reflects each resident’s satisfaction with their current life situation compared with the level they aspire to achieve.

We have identified the following areas of residents’ quality of life:

• ▪personal fulfilment (leisure (favourite activities), occupation (attendance at a day centre / day activity group, work, education), personal / family relationships, independence, decision-making);
• ▪well-being (health, safety, material well-being (income, living environment, housing), psychological well-being (psychological climate));
• social inclusion (participation in community life), rights, social relationships (communication on social networks, participation in activities organised by the community, partners and volunteers).

The Residents’ Quality of Life Concept is intended to improve residents’ quality of life. Using questionnaires, we will seek to determine residents’ subjective opinions about the areas of life that are important to them and identify the need to improve their quality of life in those areas. We will help residents set and implement individual goals for improving their quality of life. Together with each resident, we will periodically review the implementation of these quality-of-life improvement goals and evaluate the results.

The results of residents’ satisfaction with their quality of life at the collective level will be used to review, evaluate and improve the services provided and the activities carried out by the organisation.

 Deputy Director for Social Affairs

Virginija Paulauskytė