How to support independent living and quality of life for the elderly?
Finland’s population is aging rapidly, and more and more seniors wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. However, many face challenges along the way, such as memory decline, which can disrupt daily life even in its early stages.
Furthermore, many elderly individuals need supported living, but it can be difficult to secure a place in senior housing facilities. Services that support living at home are therefore crucial to meeting the needs of the elderly in various situations and maintaining a good quality of life for as long as possible.
Age- and memory-friendly housing association project
The challenges of aging residents are being addressed through the Age- and memory-friendly housing association project (2024–2025), funded by the Finnish Kiinteistöliitto’s member associations and the Ministry of the Environment. The project aims to share knowledge about how aging affects housing and to develop operational models that help housing associations better support the everyday lives of seniors. The project is spearheaded by the Kiinteistöliitto Varsinais-Suomi.
The project’s goal is to build a functional collaboration network among various stakeholders so that housing association solutions can enhance residents’ safety, active daily lives, and sense of community.
A recent survey report: Age- and memory-friendliness in housing associations, highlights how accessibility improvements in housing often take a backseat to other projects.
“Before undertaking major renovations, it’s advisable for housing associations to conduct an accessibility assessment, either as a self-evaluation or with the help of professionals. This helps identify potential deficiencies in the property and determine which solutions make sense to implement. Improvements can also be made gradually, alongside other renovations,” summarizes project worker Maura Tiuraniemi.
Digitalization as part of everyday support
Digital solutions are also an integral part of supporting the elderly in their daily lives. “Residents of all ages benefit from simple and user-friendly digital services,” Maura adds. “Today’s seniors include many active and tech-savvy individuals, but there are also those who lack digital skills. Moreover, conditions like memory disorders can complicate the use of technical devices.”
One4all’s commitment to accessibility and usability
One4all focuses on accessibility and ease of use when developing its services, taking into account residents of all ages. In November, One4all, in collaboration with Vanhus- ja lähimmäispalvelun liitto (Valli ry) and its Digital Seniors panel, organized a workshop where seniors tested the One4all Mobile resident app. Valuable feedback from this workshop is now guiding service development.
Seniors can become proficient digital users when efforts are made to support onboarding, training, and daily use. “Clear contrasts, sufficiently large fonts, and concise instructions are crucial,” Maura emphasizes.
Digitalization as a tool for everyday life
For many elderly individuals, physical and memory decline occurs gradually, with various support services introduced over time. “However, seniors don’t always feel comfortable giving their house keys to home care providers, which can complicate assistance if the front door of an apartment building is locked and the resident is unable to open it,” Maura explains.
Digital solutions can address such challenges. They simplify daily life for seniors and their families. For example, family members can monitor a senior’s situation and provide help when needed, even from a distance.
A temporary door code can resolve access issues when home care providers can’t enter the building. Residents or their family members can generate a temporary code that works for a specified period, enhancing security. Additionally, digital tools like booking calendars enable easy and reliable booking of goods and services, even by family members. Housing associations can also offer safety devices, such as stove guards, for residents to use.
Through the resident app, users can share daily tips and suggest group activities. A sense of community strengthens as residents exchange news and provide peer support. Digital solutions support well-being and safety – one step at a time.
This article has been translated with the help of AI, original article is in Finnish.