Study title

The survey examined the needs and experiences of Finnish seniors aged over 75 concerning different types of services. The study was conducted in the cities of Jyväskylä and Tampere, and the study was funded by the Academy of Finland. First, the respondents' housing circumstances were charted as well as how frequently the respondents were in contact with their relatives and friends. They were enquired about difficulties in everyday life and who provided them with help regarding these difficulties (e.g. transportation, groceries, banking, cooking meals, going to the bathroom). Different types of assistive devices used by the respondents were also examined (e.g. cane, crutches, wheelchair, hearing aid, medical alert button). The respondents were also asked to assess the sufficiency of help received as well as reasons for not receiving sufficient help. Additionally, it was charted whether the respondents themselves provided different types of help or care to a relative or friend. The respondents' views were also enquired on the development of social welfare and health care services within the previous ten years. Different types of services used by the respondents (e.g. meals, cleaning, sauna/bathing, assistive devices, transportation) were examined with regard to who provided these services to the respondents and whether the respondents were satisfied with their cost, reliability and quality. The respondents were also asked how they funded the use of these services and what their reasons were for using or not using private services. Opinions on whether some types of services should be provided more were also charted. Finally, the respondents' state of health was examined by asking them about possible diseases, disabilities, and memory difficulties. Background variables included gender, age, marital status, type of neighbourhood, household composition, number of living children (sons and daughters), number of living siblings, education, and household income.