The Finnish Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities first issued a national framework for high-quality services for older people in 2001, when such frameworks were a new form of informative guidance. The present revised framework incorporates current national strategies in old-age policy, assessments of the earlier framework, the latest research findings and recent changes in the operating environment. The current reform of the municipal and service structure in Finland is having a particularly great impact on services for older people. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health drafted the new framework jointly with the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES).

As the population’s age structure changes, the whole of society has to adjust to the needs of a growing number of older people. The framework is designed to help municipalities and cooperation districts to develop their services for older people on a basis of local needs and resources, jointly with the third sector, private-sector service providers, and clients, their relations and other local residents. Municipalities are required to draw up their own old-age strategy to prepare for the demographic change, and integrate it into their municipal budget and budget plan. Implementation of the strategy will be monitored regularly.

It is the aim of the framework to promote the health and welfare of older people and to boost the quality and effectiveness of services. The framework is intended for use by decision-makers and managers in municipalities and cooperation districts as a tool for developing and evaluating their services for older people. It applies to all social and health services used regularly by older people and to efforts more generally to promote their health and welfare.

The Finnish Constitution requires government to ensure the implementation of fundamental and human rights, including the right to equal treatment and essential care. The new framework defines the values and ethical principles guiding the provision of services for older people. It also outlines strategies for boosting quality and effectiveness in three dimensions: (1) promoting health and welfare and developing the service structure, (2) staffing levels and staff skills and management, and (3) old-age living and care environments.

The framework sets national quantitative targets for services for older people that municipalities and cooperation districts can use as a basis for fixing their own targets. It underlines the primacy of promoting health and welfare, of giving priority to prevention and support for home living, and of comprehensive assessment of individual needs. The range of available services must be diversified with the addition of advisory and other preventive services, and health, functional capacity and rehabilitation must be supported throughout. The principles behind the staffing levels used are explained, and recommendations are made for minimum levels in 24-hour care. The importance of increasing employees’ well-being at work, gerontological skills and managerial ability is underlined. Improving the quality of older people’s living and care environments means investing in accessible, safe and pleasant surroundings. The framework includes monitoring indicators for the collection of local and national data on implementation of the main areas covered by the new framework.

National Framework for High-Quality Services for Older People. Helsinki, Finland 2008. 55 pp.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health publications 2008:5
ISSN 1236-2050
ISBN 978-952-00-2529-8 (pb), ISBN 978-952-00-2530-4 (PDF)