The Informal Carer’s Pathway – support and information for informal carers in one place
In January, we published the Informal Carer’s Pathway webpages on our website for carers of older people. The pages provide a wide range of useful information for the different stages of informal care.
Project Manager Johanna Rannikko says that the content of the webpages is based on the needs of informal carers, which were identified through a large client survey targeted at carers.
According to the survey, informal carers make limited use of their statutory leave. The most common reasons are that carers do not feel they need time off or that the person receiving care is unwilling to use the service.
“From the perspective of carers’ wellbeing, it would be important to take leave proactively, rather than only when the carer is already exhausted.”
Many respondents said they needed more information on different topics, as there was not enough informational material available and access to information has largely relied on verbal guidance.
“Informal carers do receive help and support from our staff, but the availability of professionals has been a challenge. We are now working to improve this,” Rannikko says.
Many respondents had also not heard of digital services such as Lunna and Oima, for which training is being planned. Information on all training and coaching sessions for informal carers and registration is available on the Informal Carer’s Pathway.
The Informal Carer’s Pathway has been developed as part of the The Informal Carer’s Pathway supporting the informal carers of older people (Omaishoitajan polulta tukea ikääntyneiden omaishoitajille) project, funded by a government grant from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The content has been developed in workshops together with wellbeing services county professionals, experienced informal carers, local associations and municipal representatives.
In addition to the website, the project is developing, among other things, training for informal carers, health examinations, carers’ leave and the operations of informal care support teams.
Explore the Informal Carer’s Pathway on our website.
This news article was published as part of the “Elinvoimaa ikääntyneille” supplement. Read the full supplement online (in Finnish).