elämänkokonaisuuden

Elämänkokonaisuus is a Finnish concept referring to the life as a whole. It describes the idea that a person’s life comprises interrelated dimensions—such as health, housing, income, education, relationships, values, and meaning—and that these dimensions influence one another over time. The term emphasizes holistic assessment rather than focusing on isolated problems or traits.

Origin and use: The word combines elämä (life) with kokonaisuus ( wholeness or entirety). It is commonly used in Finnish social policy, welfare services, and academic discourse to describe a holistic understanding of a person’s circumstances and needs. In practical terms, elämänkokonaisuus guides client-centered planning and coordinated support across sectors, taking into account past experiences, present conditions, and future possibilities.

Applications: In social work and health care, professionals consider elämänkokonaisuus when assessing risks, strengths, and resources to improve overall well-being. The approach seeks to connect services such as health care, housing assistance, education, and social support to address the person’s life as an integrated system rather than addressing issues in isolation.

Relation to other concepts: It overlaps with elämänlaatu (quality of life) and hyvinvointi (well-being) but emphasizes the structural completeness of a person’s life. It is related to elämänkulku (life course) through its temporal dimension and focus on how life stages interact.

Limitations: The concept can be broad and subjective; applying it in policy or practice often requires concrete indicators and context-specific interpretation to remain actionable. See also: life course, quality of life, well-being.