The purpose of the home care service is to ensure that adults can live independently and safely in their own homes, maintaining and improving their quality of life. The service provides assistance or guidance to individuals who, due to health conditions, functional abilities, or living environments, require support to manage daily life at home.

The home care service includes

Domestic Assistance: Support in daily activities and household tasks to promote independent and safe living at home. Examples include:

• Shopping and home delivery;
• Utilizing services and handling administrative matters;
• Ordering, storing, and using heating materials;
• Ensuring the safety of the living space and creating a secure environment;
• Cleaning the living area;
• Maintaining the yard and adhering to cleanliness regulations.

Personal Assistance: Aid aimed at enhancing an individual's independence and functional abilities at home. Examples include:

• Personal hygiene;
• Use of the toilet and incontinence aids;
• Nutrition;
• Dressing and personal grooming;
• Changing bed linens and laundry;
• Administering medications and monitoring health status according to healthcare professional instructions;
• Observing functional abilities during service provision;
• Maintaining contact with close networks and facilitating community involvement;
• Providing mental and spiritual support;
• Utilizing assistive technologies.

The home care service is not provided to individuals with dependency issues or those who are bedridden and require daily full-time assistance and care. Additionally, the service does not include home nursing.

Co-payment

The amount of co-payment for the home care service is determined based on the recipient's actual net income and the income limit (starting from 01.01.2024, the income limit is 360€) established by the Tallinn City Government. The co-payment rates are as follows:

• If the net income is below the income limit, no co-payment is applied.
• If the net income exceeds the income limit by €1–150, the co-payment is €2 per hour.
• If the net income exceeds the income limit by €151–300, the co-payment is €4 per hour.
• If the net income exceeds the income limit by €301–450, the co-payment is €6 per hour.
• If the net income exceeds the income limit by €451 or more, the co-payment is €10 per hour.

The City of Tallinn may partially or fully assume the co-payment obligation for up to six months if housing costs affect the ability to pay the co-payment. Actual housing costs are considered within the limits specified in the regulation "Limits of Housing Expenses for Determining Subsistence Benefits."

Service Scope and Payment

The service is provided as specified in the administrative act, which includes designated activities and their frequency. If an individual wishes to use the home care service beyond the scope specified in the administrative act, they must pay for it themselves at the full rate established by the City of Tallinn. The city does not reimburse services procured from the open market.

Recalculation of Co-payment

The co-payment for the home care service is recalculated annually by June 1st. Administrative acts issued before January 1, 2026, will be amended based on this recalculation principle.

Applying for the Service

To apply for the service, contact the social welfare department of your district government. The need for the service is determined by a social worker based on an assessment of needs, consulting with the applicant's attending physician and the service provider if necessary.