Universalism in social care for older people in Finland – weak and still getting weaker

Abstract

This article discusses the basic characteristics of the Finnish model of social care service provision for older people. Do these services correspond to the "Nordic" ideal of universal services being available to all those who need support? What have been the roles of local authorities and voluntary organisations in developing care services for older people in Finland? How are institutional care and domiciliary care balanced? In particular, what kind of changes did the last decade bring to the Finnish care service model 1 ?