Services and benefits for old people

What are services promoting wellbeing?

Rehabilitation and services that promote wellbeing are used to maintain the functioning of older people. The services include advisory services, health checks to support older people’s health, wellbeing, functioning and ability to cope independently, and appointments or home visits, especially for older people belonging to risk groups. 

How is the need for services assessed?

If an older person needs home care, informal care, housing services, institutional care, services for persons with disabilities, social assistance or other social welfare services, the wellbeing services county assesses the person’s need for services before granting them.

What health services are available for older people?

Health services include primary healthcare services in the person’s own wellbeing services county, such as doctor’s appointments, health checks, dental care, home nursing, rehabilitation services and assistive devices. The necessary specialised healthcare services are also primarily provided by the person’s wellbeing services county. 

What services and benefits are available for veterans?

Services and benefits for veterans are intended for the rehabilitation, care and income security of those who served in the wars of 1939–1945. You can read more about benefits for veterans in the section Income security

• Benefits for veterans (in Finnish)

How do housing services support the independent living of older people? 

Housing services and benefits can support the independent living of older people. This can be done by granting support for home modifications or by providing suitable housing and the necessary services. 

• Housing services (in Finnish)

What do home care and support services include?

Since 1 January 2023, home care has included both the contents previously included in home services and home nursing. 

An older person’s functioning and ability to cope in everyday life can be strengthened with support services, which include a meal service, laundry and clothes care, cleaning, errand-running service and a service that promotes or supports inclusion and social interaction.

• Home care (in Finnish)

When is it time to consider institutional care? 

If living at home or in a service flat is not possible for an older person, care can be arranged as institutional care. Long-term care and attention can be arranged in an institution only if this is justified for safeguarding the person’s health or safety.

• Institutional care (in Finnish)

Who is eligible for informal care support?

Municipalities  can grant informal care support to family members or other close persons of those who need care if the latter need care or attention at home due to their reduced functional capacity, illness or disability.  

• Informal care (in Finnish)

What kinds of services are available for people with memory disorders? 

Healthcare and social welfare personnel provide guidance and advice on services needed by people with memory disorders. Many wellbeing services counties have nurses, advisers or coordinators specialised in memory disorders. Local memory disorder associations and their regional experts also offer advice and guidance.