Are people with dementia equal in Finnish social security system?
Henna Nikumaa, District Supervisor, made a large study as a part of her social service master´s degree. In her study, 157 professionals who work with people with dementia (e.g. memory nurses, dementia coordinators, social workers) were interviewed using a questionnaire. Eight people with dementia and some of their family members were interviewed individually. The primary aim of the study was to clarify how and if equality is achieved in the availability of public social security when people with dementia and people with other challenges are compared.

The results of this study showed that there are certain social security services that are not equally available for every diagnostic group. Especially rehabilitation and transportation services are easier to get for people with other diagnosis than for people with diseases that cause dementia. Both professionals and people with dementia experienced the availability in the same way. When asked for the reasons for this, the answers divided. Firstly, the professionals estimated that the social security legislation is interpreted mostly through the applicant’s physical ability. Especially when social security decisions are based on the Services and Assistance for the Disabled Act, people are evaluated almost entirely based on their physical ability. Their cognitive ability is not taken into consideration sufficiently even though cognitive impairment causes need for social security as well as physical impairment. This leads to a situation where people with visible condition get the social security services they need easier and often with less paper work than people with dementia. Secondly, people with dementia felt that diseases causing dementia and other diseases are not equally valued – other diagnoses are grounds for services, but diseases causing dementia are not. Dementia is still too often considered a part of normal aging. One interviewed person with dementia said: “It is almost like if you had any other disease than my Alzheimer’s, you’ll get the social security you need.”
More information:
Alzheimer Society of Finland, henna.nikumaamuistiliitto.fi

The Alzheimer Society of Finland has a wide range of development projects to gather information, develop operation models and recommendations for the good care and support of people with dementia and their caregivers.

Rehabilitation model

46 kb, ** päivitetty ** Mar 4th 2010

Weekly program

18 kb, ** päivitetty ** Mar 4th 2010

The network of local expert and support centres aims to strengthen volunteer work and coperation in the dementia work and to improve and expand the services for people with dementia.

Mervi Leivo
Coordinator
Tel. +358 9 6226 2027
mervi.leivomuistiliitto.fi

The project aims to improve the services for people under 65 with dementia. The goal is to create a national resource center for people under 65 with dementia and increase the knowledge about the group concerned.

Heidi Härmä
Project Coordinator
Tel. +358 9 6226 2053
heidi.harmamuistiliitto.fi

The project aims to promote positive attitudes towards dementia work by carrying out a campaign for the elderly care among students. The aim is to increase the amount of students specializing in care for the elderly. At the same time the campaign aimed at uniting the actors in the field. The image campaign is planned and carried out in cooperation with other major associations in the field of elderly care. There is a campaign brochure and a website where you can find study options and also interviews with young people working with older people.

Campaign website: muistimarkkinat.fi

Satu Kalliomaa
Project Manager
Tel. +358 9 6226 2021
satu.kalliomaamuistiliitto.fi

Brain Health Instruction Project for Teenagers
The project aims to promote teenagers’ knowledge about the issues that affect their learning capability and the good condition of brain and memory.

Sanna Kaijanen (sanna.kaijanenmuistiliitto.fi)


Help in Time in Homecare
The project promotes the legal rights of people with dementia and their carers by providing legal counselling, education and raising the legal issues to the agenda of the Finnish society.

Anna Tamminen (anna.tamminenmuistiliitto.fi)


Pathways of Rehabilitation
The project’s main tasks are to definite and clarify the terminology in rehabilitation, to create a training model of rehabilitation, to create networks for local rehabilitation professionals and service providers and to create a model of rehabilitation for people with dementia.

Sari Högström (sari.hogstrommuistiliitto.fi)

Are people with dementia equal in Finnish social security system? Henna Nikumaa, District Supervisor, made a large study as a part of her social service master´s degree. In her study, 157 professionals who work with people with dementia (e.g. memory nurses, dementia coordinators, social workers) were interviewed using a questionnaire. Eight people with dementia and some of their family members were interviewed individually. The primary aim of the study was to clarify how and if equality is achieved in the availability of public social security when people with dementia and people with other challenges are compared. The results of this study showed that there are certain social security services that are not equally available for every diagnostic group. Especially rehabilitation and transportation services are easier to get for people with other diagnosis than for people with diseases that cause dementia. Both professionals and people with dementia experienced the availability in the same way. When asked for the reasons for this, the answers divided. Firstly, the professionals estimated that the social security legislation is interpreted mostly through the applicant’s physical ability. Especially when social security decisions are based on the Services and Assistance for the Disabled Act, people are evaluated almost entirely based on their physical ability. Their cognitive ability is not taken into consideration sufficiently even though cognitive impairment causes need for social security as well as physical impairment. This leads to a situation where people with visible condition get the social security services they need easier and often with less paper work than people with dementia. Secondly, people with dementia felt that diseases causing dementia and other diseases are not equally valued – other diagnoses are grounds for services, but diseases causing dementia are not. Dementia is still too often considered a part of normal aging. One interviewed person with dementia said: “It is almost like if you had any other disease than my Alzheimer’s, you’ll get the social security you need.” More information: Alzheimer Society of Finland, henna.nikumaamuistiliitto.fi The Alzheimer Society of Finland has a wide range of development projects to gather information, develop operation models and recommendations for the good care and support of people with dementia and their caregivers. Rehabilitation model46 kb, ** päivitetty ** Mar 4th 2010 Weekly program18 kb, ** päivitetty ** Mar 4th 2010 The network of local expert and support centres aims to strengthen volunteer work and coperation in the dementia work and to improve and expand the services for people with dementia. Mervi Leivo Coordinator Tel. +358 9 6226 2027 mervi.leivomuistiliitto.fi The project aims to improve the services for people under 65 with dementia. The goal is to create a national resource center for people under 65 with dementia and increase the knowledge about the group concerned. Heidi Härmä Project Coordinator Tel. +358 9 6226 2053 heidi.harmamuistiliitto.fi The project aims to promote positive attitudes towards dementia work by carrying out a campaign for the elderly care among students. The aim is to increase the amount of students specializing in care for the elderly. At the same time the campaign aimed at uniting the actors in the field. The image campaign is planned and carried out in cooperation with other major associations in the field of elderly care. There is a campaign brochure and a website where you can find study options and also interviews with young people working with older people. Campaign website: muistimarkkinat.fi Satu Kalliomaa Project Manager Tel. +358 9 6226 2021 satu.kalliomaamuistiliitto.fi Brain Health Instruction Project for Teenagers The project aims to promote teenagers’ knowledge about the issues that affect their learning capability and the good condition of brain and memory. Sanna Kaijanen (sanna.kaijanenmuistiliitto.fi) Help in Time in Homecare The project promotes the legal rights of people with dementia and their carers by providing legal counselling, education and raising the legal issues to the agenda of the Finnish society. Anna Tamminen (anna.tamminenmuistiliitto.fi) Pathways of Rehabilitation The project’s main tasks are to definite and clarify the terminology in rehabilitation, to create a training model of rehabilitation, to create networks for local rehabilitation professionals and service providers and to create a model of rehabilitation for people with dementia. Sari Högström (sari.hogstrommuistiliitto.fi)