Community carers enable very elderly people with limited mobility to continue living in their familiar, often very remote surroundings
Village helper Janne Aikio is indispensable for the well-being of elderly people in Lapland. Every day, he drives long distances to help them maintain their independence by assisting them with everyday tasks. The daily routine of the predominantly Sami inhabitants also includes chopping wood, tending to reindeer, and hunting. The Sami are accustomed to living in nature. To ensure that this remains possible in old age, the Finnish government has made it a declared goal that seniors should be able to continue living in their familiar surroundings at home for as long as possible. For this to succeed, more village helpers like Janne are needed, as there are too few of them. A new training program offers hope. For the first time, women are among the prospective village helpers.
Village helper Janne Aikio is indispensable for the well-being of elderly people in Lapland. Every day, he drives long distances to help them maintain their independence by assisting them with everyday tasks. The daily routine of the predominantly Sami inhabitants also includes chopping wood, tending to reindeer, and hunting. The Sami are accustomed to living in nature. To ensure that this remains possible in old age, the Finnish government has made it a declared goal that seniors should be able to continue living in their familiar surroundings at home for as long as possible. For this to succeed, more village helpers like Janne are needed, as there are too few of them. A new training program offers hope. For the first time, women are among the prospective village helpers.