Home Help Vanished: Once a Basic Service, Now a Rare Commodity in Finland

In Finland, the landscape of home care has undergone a dramatic transformation, moving from a time when assistance was readily available to families in need, to a present where access is increasingly restricted. Helena Haarasilta-Ruponen, a home care professional with five decades of experience, has seen this evolution firsthand. She recalls the "golden age" of home care in the 1980s, when over 50,000 families benefited from these services. Today, that number has plummeted to around 13,000 families, a stark illustration of the shrinking support system.

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I said I wouldn't go into the bedroom unless you took that gun out of there.

The article highlights the historical context of home care, tracing its roots back to the need for support for families migrating to urban areas in the 1960s and 70s. The initial training for home sisters aimed to professionalize domestic work, providing practical skills in childcare, cooking, and household management. These professionals, identifiable by their distinctive caps and uniforms, were a common sight in Finnish homes, offering essential help to working mothers.

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It was done what was asked.

However, the narrative shifts to a more somber reality. The proposed social welfare reforms in Finland are casting a shadow over the future of home care, with fears that the situation could worsen. This potential decline is particularly concerning given the increasing demands on families and the aging population. The article implicitly questions whether the current trajectory aligns with Finland's commitment to social welfare and support for its citizens, especially those who rely on these services for their well-being and independence.

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The wood stove was still quite common in the 1980s. Water was fetched from the well and wood from the woodshed, then fires were made in the stove and meals were cooked.