Elinvoimaa newspaper supplement – a vital information channel for the elderly

Frank Lindholm, member of the Western Uusimaa Council for Older People and Chair of the pensioners’ association Pojo Pensionärer, commends the Services for the Elderly for publishing the newspaper supplement Elinvoimaa ikääntyneille (Vitality for the Elderly). 

The paper is published three times a year: in March, at the end of May and in October. It is distributed between the local newspapers in the wellbeing services county and also delivered to all libraries in the area as well as to local service centres and meeting places for the elderly. The supplement thus has a very wide circulation of around 440,000 copies per issue.

According to Frank, the print publication Elinvoimaa ikääntyneille is very important for the elderly in the wellbeing services county.

“A print paper is often the only way to get information about the wellbeing services county and current issues. Not all older people know how to use a computer or even have a computer or internet connection,” says Frank.

In his many positions of trust, Frank is in daily contact with different elderly people and groups of elderly people. Many elderly people wish to receive information on paper.

“I have found that, for example, in the Pojo Swedish-speaking pensioners’ association, around 30% of the elderly do not use the internet or social media. Some have never used a computer. The elderly have relatively few smartphones; some have bought one, but have maybe even given it up.”

Frank himself actively keeps track of the decisions made in the wellbeing services county and searches for information about the wellbeing services county online.

“I have to say that finding information related to anything other than decision-making is very difficult. If it is a challenge for me, how would someone who uses the internet less find it. We older people are dependent on the Elinvoimaa ikääntyneille supplement; it is a vital information channel.”

The contents of Elinvoimaa ikääntyneille are based on current and strategically important topics that arise within the Services for the Elderly. The publication is also an important channel for communicating about current topics related to social and healthcare services, such as seasonal vaccinations. In addition, it is an important channel for sharing information on activities promoting well-being organised by the Services for the Elderly, such as the living-room activities.

The Elinvoimaa supplement also welcomes readers’ tips and suggestions for articles. They can be sent to elinvoimaa@luvn.fi.

Frank says that the information provided by Elinvoimaa ikääntyneille has been very interesting. However, he believes that even more information is needed.

“I think that it is very important to share information about health centres and their contact numbers. These days, many older people have no idea where to contact and how to access healthcare services in their home municipality. This is because phone numbers and other contact details are mostly available online,” says Frank.

“In fact, the Elinvoimaa paper has provided information on the phone numbers of health centres but, in principle, almost every newspaper could include the phone numbers, from where they could be cut out.

In the past, it was easy to call or just visit a nearby health centre and get help, but nowadays there is a lot of ignorance.”

Frank states that the Council for Older People has had a lot of discussion about digitalisation. It is obviously good that things are evolving. However, we must take older people into account and ensure that services are accessible to them.

“Younger people often fail to consider that even if an elderly person can find the right service number, they may not have the kind of phone that allows them to easily make the selections required by a call-back system, or their fingers may be too swollen to press the buttons.”

“A significant number of older people have never used any smart devices. I think that younger decision-makers cannot possibly require them to do so. It will only be in about 20 years’ time that we will see a situation where the elderly can be reached through digital channels,” says Frank.

“The elderly have worked hard for this country and for future generations. It is now the responsibility of the younger generations to do all they can to ensure that the elderly may live out the rest of their days as well as possible. They have truly earned it.”