Caregivers in Finland face financial struggles after loss of dependents

In the summer, Tanja and Jarno Tetri from Nokia faced a tragic loss when their 7-year-old son, who had special needs, passed away suddenly due to a seizure. With the death of their son, the financial support they received for caregiving ended immediately at the end of that month, significantly impacting their income.

The Tetri family is not alone in their struggles; many caregivers in Finland face similar financial challenges when their dependents are placed in institutional care or pass away. According to Finnish law, support payments cease right at the month’s end of such an event. For many caregivers, this financial aid can be a considerable portion of their income, although not comparable to salaries earned through regular employment.

Tanja Tetri had been a caregiver for six years, scaling back her work hours to care for her son Oskari, who had a rare developmental disability as well as epilepsy. The family received monthly support totaling €1,700, which included disability benefits, but after taxes, they were left with €1,300 for living expenses, all while managing the costs of Oskari’s medications and healthcare needs.

In September, a proposal was made in Tampere to extend support payments for four weeks after a dependent’s death. This aims to ease the transition for grieving families. Currently, the funding for caregiver support is uncertain in many regions, with some areas announcing freezes on new agreements due to budget deficits.

Advocates insist that the work done by caregivers is undervalued and emphasize the need for better financial support that acknowledges the challenges they face, particularly in the aftermath of losing a loved one.