Hoivatarpeen

Hoivatarpeen is a Finnish term used in social welfare and health care to describe the level and type of care an individual requires due to age, illness, disability, or other limitations. It encompasses help with daily activities, supervision, rehabilitation, and social support needed to maintain safety, independence, and wellbeing.

In practice, hoivatarpeen is evaluated during care needs assessments carried out by municipalities or service providers. The assessment considers physical functioning, cognitive abilities, independence in activities of daily living, mobility, safety risks, and the needs of family caregivers. The resulting hoivatarpeen informs the care plan and determines which services are provided and how they are funded. Services may include home-based assistance, residential or supported living arrangements, day activities, short-term respite care, assistive devices, and support for informal carers.

Hoivatarpeen is not a fixed medical diagnosis; it is a dynamic concept that can change over time with health status, living arrangements, and available supports. Interpretations and service availability can vary by region, leading to differences in how hoivatarpeen translates into actual care between municipalities or providers.

In policy and planning, hoivatarpeen helps allocate resources and prioritize services within elder care, disability services, and broader long-term care systems. Related terms include hoiva (care), tarve (need), and hoivapalvelut (care services). Etymologically, the word combines care and need and is widely understood in the Finnish public sector as part of the framework for individual care planning.