Elder care services in Finland face critical challenges, warns Teppo Kröger

The organization of elder care services in Finland has never truly been prioritized, according to Teppo Kröger, a professor of social policy at the University of Jyväskylä. The Elderly Care Act came into effect only in 2013, while the Public Health Act was established in 1972. For a long time, elder services have been outside the state subsidy system and remain a weak link in social and health care.

Kröger, who has studied elder care for over 30 years, heads a top research unit funded by the Academy of Finland, focusing on aging and care, with a team of dozens of researchers from universities in Helsinki, Tampere, and Jyväskylä. In spring, he received the prestigious Sohlberg Award for his research contributions to gerontology.

The experiences of the elderly and their families regarding the availability and deficiencies of services logically reflect the policies in place, Kröger notes. During the 1990s, elder care was a key target for cuts, drastically reducing the number of home care users. Since then, needs have grown, but services have not kept pace. Kröger observes that the system has not been prepared for the increasing number of elderly people, resulting in a one-third reduction in service coverage.

Finnish elder care stands in stark contrast to that of other Nordic countries, with Kröger asserting that an annual investment of two billion euros is needed to even reach the Nordic average. He emphasizes that the current government, previous administrations, and welfare regions have not prioritized elder care.

Moreover, the ongoing reductions in residential care have essentially transformed home care into institutional care. The promise of Nordic welfare that “everyone who needs care will receive it” is faltering, according to Kröger. He warns that the budget-focused approach, which neglects the broader implications, could lead to increased health issues, premature deaths, and overutilization of health care services.

As the number of people aged 85 and older is set to rise sharply in the next decade, Kröger asserts that this period will be a true test for elder care services, stressing that now is the critical moment to prepare for the future.