Promote Healthy Aging in Finland

Hello friends!

Earlier this year, trainings were completed in 9 locations in Turku to expand the work of Finnish Blue Ribbon to include alcohol and aging as an important topic for its work. The training of instructors took place from November 2014 to February 2015 and consisted of four teaching days, intermediate tasks and excursions.

The Finnish Blue Ribbon’s work with substance abuse of the elderly stems from the "Too much is always too much - aging and alcohol" project (2005-2011), where studies were done on the effects that alcohol has on the aging population in Finland and the EU. Working together with the Finnish Deacon Institute, they published an instructor’s manual for social workers dealing with specific issues of aging and alcohol use-related, including how to run group sessions talking about the problems associated with alcohol use and aging.

“There's talk of drinking anything, and the use of alcohol in general. Just ordinary stories. Just ordinary people. I was welcomed into the group, offered coffee and sandwiches. Other members told news…I do not remember everything exactly, because I was in such poor condition. However, the start gave me a positive impression and I decided to go there again next Tuesday. "

Whether participating in a housing scheme or just coming to the centers to meet with people in the same life circumstance and do meaningful activities like art projects, the elderly are building friendships that support their daily life and recovery. "Friends and the importance of friends has changed…a friend only a very small minority."

To learn more about the work of the Finnish Blue Ribbon, we invite you to visit their website and extend a warm thank you for your continued support!  http://www.sininauhaliitto.fi/ 

• HDL_Pilke_ksikirja_web.pdf (PDF)