Caregivers in Finland face disparities in support across welfare regions, report finds

Family caregivers in Finland face significant disparities across various welfare regions, according to a recent report from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). While legislation regulates family caregiving, local welfare regions possess considerable authority over implementation practices. This leads to differences in eligibility for caregiver support and variations in the amount of assistance provided.

Support is allocated based on different care categories, with lower categories receiving less support and fewer benefits. Variations can exceed 1,000 euros per month within the same category. The number of care categories also differs; most regions maintain four categories, while some have three. Typically, higher categories receive support ranging from approximately 1,400 to 2,000 euros. The highest caregiver remuneration is found in Central Ostrobothnia, where, under case-by-case consideration, support can be nearly 2,900 euros per month.

The regions also differ in the number of days off granted to caregivers. Most welfare regions provide three days off per month, regardless of the care category, facilitated by home care services. However, the number can vary from two to four days depending on the care category. In South Karelia, 90% of caregivers regularly took their days off, while only 25% did so in Lapland.

Supporting family caregivers is crucial for their well-being, THL states, with approximately 50,500 caregivers in Finland receiving around 418 million euros annually in support. The THL has proposed a national recommendation for caregiver support, suggesting three categories based on care provided rather than the needs of those receiving care. Implementing these recommendations could enhance equality among caregivers in Finland, potentially lowering barriers to access support.