Legal protection of older people and where to find help
On this page, you can find the contact information of parties that offer help and support as well as instructions related to the legal protection of older people. The Ombudsman for older people does not have the authority to comment on or resolve issues related to specific individuals.
Those who are not satisfied with the service or treatment they have received can submit an objection or file a complaint with regard to the actions of an authority. In conflict situations, you should primarily try to resolve the matter with the party that deals with the issue. Those dissatisfied with social welfare and health care services can submit an objection to the social welfare and health care unit in question. The Social Ombudsman or the Patient Ombudsman can assist with submitting and objection. Complaints about the conduct of a public authority can filed with the Regional State Administrative Agency, the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Chancellor of Justice.
The authorities and legal aid
In problems related to social welfare, such as home services or housing services, you can contact the Social Ombudsman appointed by your own municipality. The Social Ombudsman provides advice in issues related to social welfare and the rights of the customer. If you feel that you have been treated wrongly by social welfare services, you can contact the Social Ombudsman to resolve the situation. The Social Ombudsman also offers advice and assistance in submitting an objection or filing a complaint.
You can find the contact information of the Social Ombudsman from the municipality’s switchboard, guidance service or department of social services, or the municipality’s website.
You can find more information about the Social Ombudsman on the website of Valvira (in Finnish).
The Patient Ombudsman is tasked with advising patients and offering information on the position and rights of patients. The Patient Ombudsman primarily helps patients to resolve their problem at the place of treatment. The Patient Ombudsman also helps with submitting an objection or filing a complaint or filing a notice of a patient injury with the Finnish Patient Insurance Centre.
A Patient Ombudsman has been appointed for every public and private health care unit. The contact information of the Patient Ombudsman can be found on the website of the health care unit or by asking the unit directly.
You can find more information about the Patient Ombudsman on the website of Valvira (in Finnish).
The Regional State Administrative Agencies monitor public and private social welfare and health care in their regions. In addition, Regional State Administrative Agencies are also responsible for monitoring libraries and municipal sports and exercise services.
You can file a complaint with the Regional State Administrative Agency if you consider the conduct or activities of the organisation or individual subject to the complaint to be illegal, incorrect or inappropriate. You can also file a complaint based on neglect. The Regional State Administrative Agency can transfer the complaint to the social welfare or health care unit to be processed first as an objection. Serious issues, such as suspicions of a serious error in professional activities, are processed directly by the Regional State Administrative Agency.
More information about the monitoring carried out by Regional State Administrative Agencies:
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman is an autonomous and independent authority, tasked with promoting equality, addressing discrimination and preventing it. The duty of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman is to assess and ensure that the rights of people and the legal protection of individuals are realised as equally as possible.
You may refer to the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman if you have experienced or observed discrimination on the basis of age, origin, nationality, language, religion, belief, opinion, political activity, trade union activity, family relationships, state of health, disability, sexual orientation or other personal characteristics.
As a rule, the legal assistance offered by the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman involves advice and guidance. If necessary, the Ombudsman takes measures to help the victim of discrimination. The Non-Discrimination Act enables several different methods for the Ombudsman to address discrimination and promote equality.
- Website of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman
- Information about the ways in which the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman can address discrimination
- Contact information of the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman
Discrimination related to gender, gender identity or gender expression belongs to the domain of the Ombudsman for Equality.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman monitors that the authorities and other parties that carry out public duties comply with the law as well as basic and human rights in all of their activities.
A complaint can be filed by writing a free-form complaint to the Ombudsman or using the complaint form on the website of the Ombudsman. The website of the Parliamentary Ombudsman has instructions on how to file a complaint. You can also get advice for filing a complaint by calling the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman by telephone (switchboard of the Parliament, tel. +358 (0)9 4321). The Office does not provide legal advice.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman has a web page dedicated to the elderly. The page has information on the legal protection of the elderly, how to file a complaint as well as a form for the purpose.
Legal aid means that a person living in Finland can get an attorney paid in full or in part by the state for managing a legal matter. Legal aid covers all legal matters.
Legal aid offered by public legal aid attorneys, advocates and other lawyers in matters related to a trial, as well as by public legal aid attorneys in other matters. Public legal aid attorneys work at the State Legal Aid Offices. The offices are usually found at the same place as District Courts.
Organisations
There are several organisations that operate in Finland to promote the rights, position and inclusion of the elderly.
EETU ry, an interest organisation of pensioners' associations, works to improve the financial and social rights and benefits of pensioners and the elderly.
Website of EETU ry (in Finnish).
Age Institute is a national expert organisation promoting older people’s functional capacity and inclusion through research, development and training. The website offers you inspiring solutions for physical and outdoor exercise, mental well-being, inclusion and age-friendly living environments.
Website of Age Institute.
VTKL – The Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older People promotes the well-being and inclusion of the elderly and improves their living conditions and the safety of their everyday lives. The Association also promotes preparedness for old age among the ageing population.
The website of the Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older People offers different kinds of operating models (in Finnish) developed to improve the living and operating conditions of the elderly.
The Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older People maintains a databank on how to prepare for old age at the address (in Finnish): www.vanheneminen.fi
Website of the Finnish Association for the Welfare of Older People (in Finnish).
VALLI ry, an association for services for the elderly and neighbourly care, is a national expert organisation that works with the elderly. VALLI works for better old age. The members of the association include organisation- and foundation-based operations in the field of elderly care in different parts of Finland.
Website of the VALLI ry association for services for the elderly and neighbourly care (in Finnish).
Carers Finland advocates for the position and rights of carers.
The association's website has an information package on informal care (in Finnish) with support for and information on being a carer.
The association's national helpline for carers offers advice in questions related to informal care for those supporting their loved ones, carers and professionals working in informal care.
The Alzheimer Society of Finland is an organisation for people with a memory disease and their families.
The Alzheimer Society of Finland maintains and develops different forms of support for people with a memory disease and the people close to them. The Society's support and services are targeted both at the family of the person with a memory disease and those suffering from a memory disease themselves.
Website of the Alzheimer Society of Finland.
You can seek help from Victim Support Finland if you have become a witness or victim of a crime or an attempt of a crime.
At the telephone number 116 006, Victim Support Finland offers victims of a crime an opportunity to talk with a person who understands what becoming a victim can mean. The service is free of charge.
