Social Context of Aging among home-dwelling elderly inFinland

Students: Mikaela Sjstrm, Sofie Strandell, Sandra Grndahl & Petra Westerlund

Demographics
Here in Finland lives about 5,3 million people. Of them are 2,6 million males and 2,7 million females. About 900 000 (16,7%) people are over 65 years old, 65 years is the common retirement age in Finland. Because our school is in the south west of Finland and this project focus on the elderly people in the archipelago, in other words Vastaboland and the Kimitoisland. In Vastaboland lives 19,8 % and in the Kimitoisland lives 25,3% of the whole population is over 65 years old. In Finland we have two official languages, Finnish and Swedish. Most of the Swedish speaking population lives along the coast and in the Aland island. Of the whole population in Finland speak 5,4% Swedish. In Vastaboland 67,4% over 65 years old people speaks Swedish, and in the Kimitoisland 74,6% over 65 years old people speaks Swedish. From this statistics can we see that a major part of the Swedish people in the south west of Finland are Swedish speaking and lives in the archipelago. Of the whole population 2% of the people over 65 years lives in Residential homes. Of those who lives at home 6,3% gets regular homecare. And if they have a family member who takes care of the elderly (often the husband/wife or children) it is called support for informal care and 2,6% of the population over 65 years old gets that support. In reality most of those who take care of a family member doesnt get any support. In the future (year 2040) the prognosis is that the number of people over 65 years old will rise to 26,9% of the whole population.

A map over the language state in Finland

Only Finnish speaking area The majority speaks Finnish The majority speaks Swedish Only Swedish speaking area Majority speaks Finnish and minority speaks Saami

References:
www.stakes.fi http://uusi.sotkanet.fi/ Picture from Wikipedia.org

Social network and the feeling of safety

Social network and relationships of other people are important for our health. If you suddenly get lonely or you become isolated it can indirectly accelerate the process of getting older. To lose your companion is the main reason that old people are alone or feel alone. Grief is a hard process and maybe the lifestyle change , you get passive, eat worse and you may isolate. The risk to die earlier increase if you become widow or a widower (Sjukvardsradgivningen, 1177). Elderly peoples social contacts with family, friends and other people is an important resource as support, care and friendship. An important part of the elderly peoples lives in Nordic countries is associations and organizations. You continue to socialize with other people even when you get older. 70 % of parents meet their children once a week, the reason why they dont meet more often is partly because of the geographic and social factors. There are still variations in different population groups. The telephone is a good tool to keep social contact, but it cannot be compared with real human contacts. Many of the elderly people have contacts with friends and neighbors. Social contacts have an importance for the individuals wellbeing. Researches indicate that people get more sic if there are a lack of social contacts than that a worse health leads to less social contacts (Lennartsson, 2001). The most popular hobby outside the home for Finnish elderly people is to visit friends and family (74%). Many elderly people also have a cottage, and spend a lot of time there, they also spend time in the forest/nature (44%). Finnish elderly people also like to travel (40%). 43% of women like to go to the theatre, movies and different concerts. All of these hobbies have increased in the last ten years (Laitalainen a.o., 2008, 14). Organizations for retired people organize a lot of events, for example parties, all kinds of trips, different lectures, hobby activities and so on. The organization also helps old people to influence for example in society, and they sometimes do volunteer work (Elakeliitto). The reason that old people feel unsecure is lack of money (30,5%), to have to depend on other people (33%), problems with memory (29%) and fear of having to move to an institution (25%).Those with a higher education had less worries for money, but they worried more over to depend on others. Those with less money worried more over the price of the care service. The elderly are not that afraid of living alone and of violence as they have been before. Now they are more afraid of the quality of care (Laitalainen a.o., 2008, 14). Decreased functional ability increase among elderly people when they get old and more sic,that is the reason why it become more difficult to get out of home to socialize and to run your errands. When you get old it gets harder to tie new bounds. When you leave the work life and get a pension the influence in society decreases. The feeling of social context and belonging disappear. (Marklund, 2009, 35-36).

The parish provides help when you are in economic distress, or if you need a shoulder or simply someone to talk to. Pastors and diaconal workers are pledged not to tell anyone what they hear in connection with private discussions. The discussions are free of charge. The parish provides economical guidance and material help, they also help interacting with authorities and filling in forms. The parish also gives mental support and alcohol and drug problems. The parish organize clubs and recreational activities and outings. They also cooperate with volunteer organizations and social and health care professionals (The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland).

Pensions Finland has two statutory pension systems, which complement each other: National pensions offer a basic income for persons who are entitled only to a very small earnings-related pension or to none at all. They are awarded and paid by Kela. The full amount of national pension is EUR 584,13 per month. If you are married or cohabiting, the amount is smaller, EUR 518,12 per month. National pension at the full rate is payable only if you receive no earnings-related pensions or their combined amount is less than the amount allowed to qualify for the smallest national pension (EUR 51,54 per month). No pension if earnings-related pension exceeds, single recipient- 1 207,38 or married- 1 075,30. Earnings-related pension rights are accrued through employment and selfemployment. There are several earnings-related pension providers. The Union of Front Veteran Soldiers in Finland serves as an interest group for the front veteran soldiers involved in Finland's wars from 1939 to 1945. The Union improves the pension security and housing conditions of veterans, as well as rehabilitation health and dental care. The amount of the Front-Veteran's Supplement is EUR 45,64 per month. Income or assets do not have an effect on the amount. The supplement is free from tax. Low-income pensioners are eligible to receive Housing Allowance for Pensioners towards the costs of living. The allowance is available for your primary residence but not for a holiday home. The allowance can be paid for the entire home or just the part used by your family. The Housing Allowance for Pensioners covers 85% of reasonable housing costs. The housing costs must be at least EUR 655 per year (EUR 54.58) in order for Kela to pay the allowance.

Care Allowance for Pensioners is intended to make it possible for pension recipients with an illness or disability to live at home, as well as to promote home care and to reimburse pension recipients for extra costs caused by illness or disability. To qualify for the allowance, your functional status must be weakened for a period of at least one year. A person is concerned to have a functional impairment when weakened by illness or injury his or her ability to look after him- or herself (dressing and personal hygiene, for instance), perform necessary household chores or run errands outside the home. The Care Allowance amount can vary from
57,32 to 301,75 EUR per month.

If an elderly person due to reduced mobility, illness or disablement needs caretaking in home conditions theres a possibility for a relative or close friend to become the main care giver. In many cases the main care giver is either the wife or husband. The main care giver is entitled to a special allowance. The amount is minimum 347,41 EUR and is paid by the municipality. Pensioners economical situation in Finland When comparing men and woman pensions in Finland the womens average income is only 70% of the amount that men receive. Healthservice- and drug fees are expensive and many pensioners have economical problems. These economical problems lead to anxiety and reduced strength which affects also the physical health. When the elderly gain control over their finances they also gain increased physical and mental health and control over their lives.

Elderly people living at home thoughts regarding their social networks.

Their health limits the possibility to see friends and many of their friends had also passed away due to old age. Especially in winter, it is difficult to maintain contact with other people. Summertime it was easier.

It is harder to make new social contacts as you grow older.

It is not the number of contacts that had meaning, not even the physical meeting. What was perceived to be important was to have someone to talk to, if only by phone.

NEEDS FOR PRACTICAL HELP AND SOCIAL CONTACT AN INTERVIEW STUDY AMONG OLDER HOMEDWELLING PEOPLE IN NORWAY

The older people felt they had good contact with his family, but they also realized that their children were busy with their own children and therefore did not have much time.

Telephone contact can in some extent replace social visits.

The elderly feel that they need to remain a part of society.

The elderly would like to participate in activities but they wanted someone to go along with them.

OLD, IN NEED FOR HELP AND ALONE

Family and relative bonds are especially important Social support increases selfesteem and reduces anxiety, depression and feelings of loneliness

Having a life partner to share everyday life with

QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ELDERLY WHO LIVE AT HOME AND RECEIVE HOME HEALTH NURSING CARE

Some saw loneliness as something positive, they liked to be by themselves

Social relations considered important to maintain quality of life

The social network helps maintain a social identity

References: Elakeliitto. http://www.elakeliitto.fi/toiminta/piirit/varsinais-suomi/etusivu/ (hmtat: 09.11.2010). Laitalainen, E., Helakorpi, S. & Uutela, A. (2008). Elkeikisen vestn terveyskyttytyminen

ja terveys kevll 2007 ja niiden muutokset 19932007. Kansanterveyslaitoksen julkaisuja B 14/2008. Lennartsson, C. 2001. Betydelsen av sociala relationer fr ldre mnniskors hlsa. http://www.forskardagarna.su.se/2001/forskare/a_text.php3?UID=59 (hamtat: 09.11.2010). Att bli ldre. Sjukvardsrdgivningen. http://1177.se/artikel.asp?CategoryID=36069 (hamtat: 09.11.2010).
Marklund, P. (2009). Kroppens naturliga ldrande. Nordisk Geriatrik, 6, 35-37.The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. http://evl.fi/EVLen.nsf (hamtat: 09.11.2010). Kela, the social insurance institute of Finland (www.kela.fi). STM, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (www.stm.fi). The Union of Front Veteran Soldiers (www.rintamaveteraaniliitto.fi) Palmunen, A. (2008). Ett gott liv. Vanda Stad; Social- och hlsovrdsvsendet.