In Finland, the government wants to advance the issue of caregivers

According to the Carers’ Association, the Finnish government program has many good entries to improve the status of carers and they must be carried forward despite the deteriorating economic outlook.

Labor Minister Arto Satonen says that in order to improve the status of family caregivers, the cooperation of different ministries is needed and he is ready to share the message with other ministers. According to Satonen, there is a desire to promote the position of caregivers, because an aging Finland cannot survive without caregivers. 

Balance the payment burdens of care arrangements

Legislation, working life and the service system must encourage the fact that in all life situations and stages of a working career, you can combine paid work with caring for a loved one if you wish, the Caregiver’s Association emphasized.

“When a family caregiver takes care responsibility, which according to the law belongs to the public sector, his/hers livelihood must be secured”, Sari Raassina, chairperson of the Family Caregivers Association, reminded. According to the Carers’ Association, the costs incurred from family care should be fairly distributed between the state, welfare regions, employers and employees in the same way as in the care of small children.

Creativity for the development of family care

In Finland, only half of caregivers take their statutory leaves. This is due, among other things, to the fact that the caregiver cannot get the loved one to a suitable nursing home during their time off. Labor Minister Satonen liked the idea of ​​the Family Caregivers’ Association to increase the use of surrogate caregivers. At the same time, for example, the opportunities of the unemployed, immigrants and students to participate in working life could be strengthened.

6.10 The Association of Family Caregivers also organised an online event for human resources professionals on combining work and care.

The population of Finland is 5.54 million. There are 2.2 million wage earners. More than 700,000 employed Finns take care of an elderly, sick or disabled relative to some extent in addition to their day job. More than a hundred thousand wage earners take care of an adult outside the household almost every day. Carers allowance granted to approximately 50,000 people. Finland has 22 welfare regions, which are responsible for family care services and support.