31-year-old becomes full-time carer for her grandfather as Finland debates family responsibility for elderly care

At just 31 years old, Merituuli Nylund has taken on the role of full-time carer for her 85-year-old grandfather, Arvid, who suffers from advanced Parkinson’s disease and dementia, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

Every morning, Nylund helps her grandfather out of bed, tends to his injuries, shaves him, and assists with bathing and dressing. She also ensures he takes his medication, eats breakfast, and sometimes even joins him for light exercise. Despite working full-time, she remains on constant alert, ready to rush to his side if needed.

“I took on this responsibility because I love my grandparents,” Nylund says, emphasizing that her role as a family carer is a personal choice.

### A growing debate on elderly care
The question of whether families should bear greater responsibility for elderly care has sparked intense discussion in Finland. Risto Murto, CEO of pension insurance company Varma, argues that adult children must prepare for the possibility that caring for aging parents will increasingly fall to them.

Finns have long relied on a welfare state model where taxes fund professional elderly care. But with an aging population and economic pressures, some officials—including the Ministry of Finance’s budget director—question whether Finland can still afford its current system.

Is this shift a financial necessity, or is it a deliberate policy choice as the elderly population grows?

### A close-knit, unconventional family
Nylund moved in with her grandparents at age nine after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. She has always shared a strong bond with her grandfather, who once served her breakfast on a golden tray while she watched cartoons.

Now, their roles have reversed. “He was always the active one, and I was the one he took care of. Now, we’ve completely switched places,” she reflects.

Nylund lives with her husband and daughter in the same yard as her grandparents and mother. The family is loud, affectionate, and deeply connected—”a wonderful, terrible family,” as she describes them.

While Nylund manages her grandfather’s round-the-clock care, her grandmother helps with shopping and medication. “I want my grandmother to be able to just be his wife,” she says.

### The need for better support
Nylund, who has worked professionally in elderly care, believes family members will inevitably take on more caregiving responsibilities. However, she stresses that society must provide stronger support to prevent burnout and ensure safe care.

Sari Kehusmaa, a senior expert at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), notes that while families can handle some daily tasks, many elderly people have complex needs, such as dementia care. “It is society’s responsibility to ensure their safety and proper treatment, even when family caregivers reach their limits,” she says.

Economist Ohto Kanninen warns that shifting care burdens onto families could harm Finland’s economic growth. “This is ultimately about values,” he argues. “It was a value choice to build the Nordic welfare state.”