Faroe Islands’ Suðuroy region to consolidate elderly care into two new facilities

The municipal council of Tvøroyri has approved a comprehensive plan to restructure housing and care services in Suðuroy, merging elderly care into two new centres—one in the northern and one in the southern part of the island, Kringvarp Føroya reports.

Under the 10-year plan, current elderly care services will be centralised into two purpose-built facilities, each offering residential units, day care, rehabilitation spaces, and communal areas. The council has also authorised further investigation into potential locations and operational frameworks for an additional new care home in Tvøroyri itself.

The plan highlights pressing challenges in Suðuroy’s elderly care sector, including an ageing population, rising housing shortages, labour deficits, uneven service levels, and significant financial strain. A working group behind the proposal recommends seven key focus areas: prevention and rehabilitation, expanded housing, extended home-based care, professional competence, leadership, collaboration, and inter-agency cooperation.

The new facilities are intended to address these issues by providing integrated services under one roof, including medical care, social activities, and specialised support.