Promote Healthy Aging in Finland

“The COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges for older adults and their families, support systems, caregivers, and medical and mental health care providers. Increased mortality among older adults following infection with the novel coronavirus, is now well established. Older people already are vulnerable to the effects of isolation and face bad consequences from social distancing, which may trigger or worsen anxiety, depression, substance use, and other psychiatric disorders. As long as social distancing guidelines remain in place, older adults in recovery from substance use disorders may find themselves cut off from support if they are unable to effectively use online treatment and self-help resources” (Satre et al. 2020).

“Supporting and protecting older people living alone in the community is everyone’s business,” said Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, addressing journalists at a virtual press briefing. “I am reminding governments and authorities that all communities must be supported to deliver interventions to ensure older people have what they need. All older people should be treated with respect and dignity during these times. Remember, we leave no one behind.”

Support for older people, their families and their caregivers is an essential part of the countries’ comprehensive response to the pandemic. During times of isolation and quarantine, older people need safe access to nutritious food, basic supplies, money, medicine to support their physical health, and social care. Dissemination of accurate information is critical to ensuring that older people have clear messages and resources on how to stay physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic and what to do if they should fall ill.

The Blue Cross Sininauhaliitto is and has been committed to helping vulnerable people during the Corona crisis. Food was distributed to families and elderly in Rauma, online meetings were held, self help groups were organized. The organization also became involved in politics. In May, the Blue Band Union discussed the effects of the corona crisis with the day-care actors. Many good tips and policies came up, which can be multiplied with other actors. They collected ideas, thoughts and policies that have risen in the discussion.

There were also changes for the employees. During the Corona period, the Blue Ribbon Association offers its office workers the opportunity to have a helpful work well-being morning at Skata's farm. So there was variety during the home office time. For example the new lawyer Saija was doing firewood at the Skata’s farm and at the same time getting to know Green Care.

It is important that we all continue to look after the elderly people in our community. We should contact them regularly and offer our help.

Thank you dear donors for all financial support. Together we are working against loneliness and for a life without addiction.

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Sources:

Satre, Matthew E. Hirschtritt, Michael J. Silverberg, and Stacy A. Sterling (2020): Addressing Problems With Alcohol and Other Substances Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic, American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

WHO (April 2020): Supporting older people during the COVID-19 pandemic is everyone’s business.

The Finnish Blue Ribbon has been active in Peer Support Groups for many years. The "Pilke Peer Support Groups" meet regularly so that elderly people can talk about addictions and related issues such as loneliness, anxiety and depression. Pilke means "look at" - which means that in the groups each individual is “seen” and his or her individual needs are perceived.

In March a new project called “Pilkettä elämään” (finn. for “A glimpse into life") has started. The aim of the project is to spread the Pilke peer support group work all over Finland during the next three years. As a result new Pilke groups are being established and there are going to be more and more Pilke-instructors. Hundreds of elderly people with substance abuse problems will have a community to belong to and a reason not to drink for at least one day a week. The culture of "We look after each other" is promoted by the project and in the long term it can shape whole Finland by creating a place to be for elderly people.

A goal in this initial phase is also to find out how cost-efficient and effective Pilke work is compared to individual support. Different assessments will be conducted to make the groups as valuable and far reaching as possible.

For this enriching project we are happy to receive additional donations, so that healthy aging can be promoted in Finland in a targeted manner. Many thanks for your generosity!