Icelandic society is undergoing major changes with a larger group of older people. If population forecasts are correct, the proportion of older people will increase rapidly. According to the median population forecast from Statistics Iceland, the age group 70-100 years will increase by 43 percent by 2030. This is far more than other age groups. A similar story is reflected in Europe, but the proportion of older people there is higher in most places today than in Iceland. – This development calls for a clear policy and increased funding. Not least at the local government level.
Social participation as long as possible
Fjarðabyggð is a participant in the project "Gott að eldast" which is a collaboration between the state, the Association of Icelandic Municipalities and the National Association of Senior Citizens. On that basis, an advertisement was made for partners and 22 municipalities requested participation, including Fjarðabyggð . The project is about integrating the services provided by the East Iceland Health Institute with the services of Fjarðabyggð. The goal is to ensure healthy aging through comprehensive health promotion and flexible services on stronger foundations. The main goal of the project is to ensure that older people receive services that help as many of them as possible participate in society – for as long as possible.
Let's strengthen the service for the future
Strengthening home care, day care and home nursing enables senior citizens to live longer in their own homes and enjoy appropriate services there. Home care is most often provided by municipalities, home nursing by health districts and nursing homes, either by health institutions, municipalities or limited companies. It is important to strengthen cooperation between parties in elderly care with a view to integrating and making it more efficient and better. The services, human resources and knowledge are all there, increased integration and cooperation can expand operations, get to know service recipients better, increase efficiency, take the necessary steps in telehealth services and enable seniors to live longer at home.
Need for Grettistak in daycare services
Fjarðabyggð is lagging behind other communities in terms of day care services and this must be improved. Of the 833 day care spaces in the country in 2020, only six were in Fjarðabyggð (five in Breiðdalsvík and one in Neskaupstaður). Grettistaki must be lifted here. But at the same time, this is an opportunity for the community.
Day care services are a proven solution for older people. The solution is personalized, as an individual can receive services on certain days of the week, depending on their needs.
Health promotion for senior citizens
In recent years, Fjarðabyggð participated in the project, "Multifaceted Health Promotion", for older people. Janus Heilsuefling manages it in collaboration with the municipality and has yielded positive results. Participation in the project far exceeded the brightest expectations and was a great pleasure. The contract with Janus Heilsuefling has been extended as the project has improved the health and well-being of older people.
Increased communication between generations
As we focus our political attention on the increasing number of older people, we should encourage increased interaction and communication between generations. This is how we best transmit knowledge, culture and national heritage between generations. At the same time, we should reduce the social isolation of older people, which should be an important goal. – This is how aging will be good in Fjarðabyggð