vanhainkoti

Vanhainkoti is a long-term care facility in Finland that provides round-the-clock support and nursing care for elderly residents who cannot live independently due to age-related frailty, illness, or disability. Facilities are typically operated by municipalities, but private service providers under contract with municipalities also run vanhainkoti. Admissions follow an assessed need for continued care; typically a social services evaluation determines eligibility, and placement depends on bed availability and the individual’s care plan.

Residents receive assistance with daily activities, medication management, meals, and safety needs, along with access to nursing care, medical visits, rehabilitation services, and social and recreational activities. Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team, including registered nurses, care assistants, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers, with 24/7 staffing to ensure supervision and support.

Living arrangements vary by facility but commonly include single or shared rooms, shared dining and activity spaces, and accessible design to support mobility and safety. The emphasis is on person-centered care, dignity, and preserving independence as much as possible within a structured care setting. Facilities are subject to national social and health care legislation and oversight by authorities such as the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) and the Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI).

Funding for vanhainkoti services is primarily provided by municipalities as part of public welfare services, with resident fees based on income and family circumstances. In recent years, there has been a trend toward integrating long-term care with service housing and home-based services to allow aging in place when possible.