Throughout 2023, every responsible entity continued to implement age-friendly measures in Vaasa.

Housing and accessibility

We actively promoted the construction of new senior housing in Vaasa due to high demand. However, our flagship project, the well-being quarter planned for Ravilaakso, is currently on hold due to challenges in the construction sector and reductions in ARA funding. Nevertheless, we allocated one plot for a smaller-scale project involving communal housing for senior citizens and round-the-clock service housing at the end of 2023.

To provide information on local senior housing options and services for our senior citizens, we established a webpage to help in getting prepared for housing-related matters before reaching the senior years. Additionally, we joined a future senior housing development and research project led by Tampere University from 2023 to 2025, expecting it to yield effective models for senior housing development.

We launched a new housing advisory service in 2022, which has proved very successful. We assist approximately 250 to 300 clients annually. Housing advisors assist all Vaasa residents or newcomers in need of housing advice. Many clients face challenging situations such as homelessness, rent arrears, or eviction. In the future, housing advisors will focus more on advising senior citizens in collaboration with the Ostrobothnia Welfare region, the Senior Citizens’ Council, and other stakeholders.

Vaasa City assisted in the installation of two elevators in two previously non-elevator-equipped rental buildings in 2023. The city also provides accessibility grants, which housing companies have increasingly applied for. The city raised the maximum sum of accessibility grants in 2023. Additionally, accessibility grants can be awarded to associations, communities, and small businesses with premises in Vaasa. The city continuously carries out accessibility renovations in residential environments based on extensive accessibility surveys of neighborhoods, resulting in a comprehensive spatial data set containing numerous areas in need of fixing.

Public transport

Most of the improvements to Lifti’s public transport were made in 2022, including new routes and bus stop information boards. Lifti’s bus fares are the most affordable in Finland. All buses are low-floor, including Line 6 to Sepänkylä, and senior seats are located close to the doors. In 2023, route descriptions on bus schedules were improved, an additional service was added from Vähäkyrö to Isokyrö, and a new service point was opened in Mustasaari. Future schedules will address bus timetable challenges.

To streamline the operation of service buses and increase availability, the possibility of introducing a call centre has been explored. However, due to the low number of bus passengers, this service would not be cost-effective. Discussions on this matter are ongoing with the Welfare region. Drivers’ lunch breaks have been staggered to ensure transportation is available even during lunchtime.

Sports and Culture

Many adapted exercise groups for senior citizens are offered, about half of which are free-of-charge and the rest affordable. Most groups are located near the city centre, but there are also groups in different neighborhoods. Groups are added according to demand, such as in the relatively new gym in Palosaari. The number of visitors to adapted exercise groups doubled compared to the previous year. There is increasing demand for the city’s groups as the welfare region reduces its own rehabilitation services. The city also installed a fantastic outdoor gym in Onkilahdenpuisto, where guidance on using the equipment was provided during the summer.

Group activities for cultural work with senior citizens have continued as in previous years, with new models also being considered. The activities and festival events of senior citizens’ cultural work network have continued, and the programs of the city’s major cultural events have also been taken to service homes. In particular, efforts have been made to develop culture companion activities, and more distributors of the culture card Kaikukortti have been recruited, including through elderly social work. Cultural work with senior citizens has been partly in transition, especially regarding kulttuurikummi and the ”artist at home” program, as cooperation with the welfare region is being reestablished.

Promotion of Well-being and Health

In Vaasa, participation in national campaigns promoting good nutrition for senior citizens, organised by the Finnish Food Authority, has continued. Events promoting healthy lifestyles and exercise services have been organised, with participation from the welfare region. Local associations continue to develop their activities, supported by the city through grants and facilities. Employment services also organise and develop award-winning elderly assistant activities and Helppari activities, using supported employment methods to attract unemployed individuals to senior care. Simultaneously, the functional capacity and well-being of home care clients and residents of Vuorikoti are promoted through outdoor activities, socialising, organising pleasant activities, and assisting with everyday tasks.

Digital support

The accessibility of digital support available in Vaasa has been improved. Non-profit digital support services are listed on websites and in printed brochures. There are numerous options for receiving digital support in Vaasa, at various locations, remotely, and even at home if needed. The library’s digitalkkari, in particular, is popular among senior citizens.

Participation of the Senior Citizens’ Council

The Senior Citizens’ Council has engaged in discussions with various officials, received information particularly regarding zoning projects, organised a consultation event on the well-being of senior citizens in collaboration with the welfare unit, and provided input on the well-being plan—these perspectives were also taken into account. The Senior Citizens’ Council has made proposals to the welfare region, and the council has been consulted. Suggestions from the council have been considered, particularly in terms of communication; activities have been presented in the Kotikäynti magazine, and brochures have been prepared for senior citizens, including a service guide, brochures on senior clinics, and healthy lifestyles.

Social and health Services

Social and health services are monitored through cross-border cooperation between the municipality and the welfare region, as well as through the representation of the city’s senior citizens’ council in the welfare region’s senior citizens’ council. Measures by the welfare region to promote age-friendliness have included the launch of a senior helpline and senior health clinic, the creation of an elderly service guide and printed brochures, and informing the senior citizens via OnniTV.

Monitoring of Age-Friendliness

Age-friendliness in Vaasa will be monitored and reported from 2024 onwards as part of the city’s well-being report and plan for 2023–2026 in the section focusing on senior citizens. The action plan for supporting the aging population and the age-friendly action program 2020–2025 remain in effect and will be monitored and reported on to the extent that actions deviate from the well-being plan and the responsible unit remains with Vaasa City and has not transferred to the Ostrobothnia welfare region due to the social and health service reform. Measures from the well-being plan and age-friendly initiatives will be promoted and monitored further within senior citizens workgroup.

The report was prepared by Coordinator Senni Korhonen and Housing Manager Jonas Nylén, Vaasa 6.3.2024.