A New Building Opened at Lihula Südamekodu, Adding Fifty More Care Home Places

On December 20, a new building wing was officially opened at Lihula Südamekodu, increasing the home’s capacity by 24 additional places for elderly residents in need of general care, in addition to the existing 50. The extension added approximately 1,400 m² of space.
After moving into the new wing, renovation of the older rooms will begin, along with plans to expand and modernize the kitchen. In April 2024, another 18 new places will be added, bringing the total capacity of Lihula Südamekodu to 92 residents. The renovated section will also include 12 places for young people with severe multiple disabilities who currently live on Pärna Street.
The building was officially opened together with residents and partners by Lääneranna Municipal Council Chairman Armand Reinmaa, Südamekodud Council Chairman Martin Kukk, and Lihula Südamekodu Manager Vanda Birnbaum. Construction was carried out by Tera Ehitus OÜ, with a total investment of 2.4 million euros including VAT.
According to Lääneranna Municipal Council Chairman Armand Reinmaa, it is important for the municipality that elderly residents, who make up almost half of Lihula Südamekodu’s clients, can live in modern conditions built specifically for their needs. “The demand for care home places is increasing as the population ages and families often live apart or farther away. The addition of new care places is therefore very welcome,” Reinmaa said.
Reinmaa also noted that the expansion brings new jobs. “The enlargement of Lihula Südamekodu will initially create up to eight new positions, and after the renovation of the old section, even more. Thus, the expansion by Südamekodud provides a double benefit — improved quality for residents and new employment opportunities for locals,” he added.
Südamekodud Council Chairman Martin Kukk stated that the care sector is moving toward more diverse and personalized services. “Südamekodud operates in 11 locations across Estonia, and we see that care home places are currently lacking everywhere. In our six years of operation, we have created over 340 new care places, including today’s opening in Lihula, and more than 250 additional places are on the way. However, not all elderly people need to move into a care home — we need more supportive services. This is also one of the goals of the ongoing care reform. At Südamekodud, we are working to provide more combined solutions so people can live at home for as long as possible,” Kukk said.
According to Lihula Südamekodu Manager Vanda Birnbaum, the Südamekodud team has worked wholeheartedly toward completing the new building wing. “We have long awaited this opening, and I sincerely thank everyone who made it possible to offer our residents and staff an updated environment. The new building now allows residents to live in private, spacious single rooms, which are increasingly preferred by the elderly — offering a balance between shared activities and quiet rest. The four named corridors — Tikri, Muraka, Mustika, and Maasika — form small ‘streets’ to stroll along indoors,” Birnbaum described.
She added that the expansion not only provides more care places but also new employment opportunities. “To offer the best care for our residents, we are looking for new care workers to join our close-knit team — people with the right attitude and desire to assist the elderly in their daily lives. Work in a care home is varied, stable, and long-term, and it offers a chance to acquire all the necessary skills and knowledge for elderly care,” Birnbaum said.
Healthcare and social care services for elderly and disabled people have been provided in the same building in Lihula since 2001. Südamekodud has been operating here since 2018, when it took over the care home’s operations along with the responsibility to create additional care places.
The new wing was built in the care home’s courtyard, connecting several previously separate buildings into a unified complex while maintaining direct access to the family health center. Lihula Südamekodu offers a diverse range of services — in addition to general care, it provides special care services for people with disabilities, a day center for the elderly, and supported living and working services.
Südamekodud is Estonia’s largest provider of elderly care services — the group operates 11 care homes across the country, housing over 1,000 residents and employing more than 450 people. The group’s homes are located in Käru, Piigaste, Lihula, Värska, Saaremaa, Kunda, Kohtla-Järve, Valkla, Paide, and Tallinn (Merivälja and Pirita), with a new home soon opening in Tartu. The goal of Südamekodud is to create and develop safe and comfortable living environments for a dignified old age.