Rantakaisla Care Home in Lehtimäki recognized among top care institutions in Finland

In the dining area of Rantakaisla Care Home, a fireplace glows warmly, with a kitchen at the heart of the space where meals are prepared. On Thursdays, residents enjoy mashed potatoes and ground meat sauce, a dish requested by one of them. “We pay attention to residents’ preferences whenever possible. They want traditional dishes like herring casserole,” says head cook Marjo Könni.

Located in Lehtimäki, Southern Ostrobothnia, Esperi Care Home Rantakaisla has been recognized among the top ten institutions providing round-the-clock care in a citizen survey conducted by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The survey, published biannually, asks elderly care clients to rate the services on a scale from 0 to 10 based on how likely they would recommend it to their relatives.

About 52% of residents rated their care as a 9 or 10. Many care providers are represented among the top-rated homes. Ulla-Riitta Soini, Rantakaisla’s unit manager, feels grateful for the positive feedback: “It’s incredibly wonderful; I can hardly comprehend the significance of this.”

The care home’s garden supplies fresh ingredients like currants, rhubarb, potatoes, vegetables, salads, and herbs. Although discussions about kitchen operations are frequent, cost considerations make it challenging to enhance services further.

Residents share their positive experiences as well. “It’s really nice here, and the staff are friendly,” says Armi Virtanen, who moved in last March. “I really enjoy being here; everything is good, and the staff is pleasant,” adds Hilkka Lampinen, a resident since the start of the year.

Laughter fills the halls, largely thanks to dedicated staff who provide engaging activities, particularly bingo, which is sought after almost daily according to Soini. Rantakaisla boasts an impressive ratio of 18 staff members for 16 residents, ensuring that care is a top priority.