Elderly care policies need reform

Finland's national policy, which prioritizes home care for the elderly, is facing criticism for its shortcomings. While the intention to allow seniors to live at home for as long as possible is understandable, driven by financial considerations and personal wishes, the current approach is deemed insufficient. Critics argue that prioritizing home care does not resolve the pervasive issue of loneliness among the elderly and can lead to prolonged periods of inadequate support.

The article points out that when round-the-clock care eventually becomes necessary, the demand for care and staff peaks, leading to strain on the elderly, worry for families, and burnout among overloaded personnel who then seek employment elsewhere. This situation highlights the urgent need to reassess national policies regarding elderly services.

A significant portion of the elderly population falls into a middle ground between home care and 24-hour residential facilities. The current system's binary approach of either home care or full-time institutional care fails to accommodate this diverse majority. While options like day centers, interval care, support for informal caregivers, and community housing exist, they are not universally suitable or sufficient across the country.

To address these gaps, the author calls for innovative solutions that acknowledge the multifaceted nature of aging, the individuality of the aging process, and a humane approach. The suggestion is made for some well-being regions to serve as pilot areas to test the economic sustainability of a more diverse elderly care policy. This would allow for the exploration of new models that better cater to the varied needs and circumstances of the elderly population.