Social services for seniors available in only a fraction of Lithuanian municipalities

Social support services for elderly residents are insufficient to ensure their independence and active participation in society, Lithuania’s State Audit Office (Valstybės kontrolė) reported Sunday following an audit on active ageing promotion.

The audit found that current social services focus primarily on maintaining vital functions for those already unable to care for themselves, rather than preventing dependency. State Controller Irena Segalovičienė emphasised that access to services should not depend on location, stating: “Social protection in old age must not be determined by one’s address. The system is currently consequence-oriented rather than preventive. We must strengthen it by providing information and services that help people live in their own homes for as long as possible, remaining independent.”

Only one-fifth of residents over 60 used social services in the past year, according to the audit. While 91.5% of users reported satisfaction, nearly a third said they had unmet needs but did not seek help due to lack of awareness or reluctance to ask.

The audit also revealed significant disparities between municipalities. In 2024, only 14 out of 60 municipalities offered the full range of key services—home assistance, transport coordination, social skills support, and psychosocial aid. Some failed to meet even minimum standards, while others exceeded them. For example, the target for transport services was 20 users per 1,000 elderly residents, yet Švenčionys District provided them to six times as many as planned.

Based on the findings, the State Audit Office recommended that the Ministry of Social Security and Labour establish mandatory minimum standards for preventive and general social services, while the Ministry of Health should define a basic list of essential public health services for the elderly.