The key to welfare is an active lifestyle in which we encourage the inhabitants of the city to take part in. The ability of residents to take responsibility for themselves and their relatives is reinforced by preventive services. The city is looking for and experimenting with approaches to reduce welfare inequalities and prevent exclusion. By anticipating service demand, we can allocate services in a timely manner where their impact is greatest. We renew our service processes and channels together with our customers. We create a way for our residents and customers to use the services, regardless of time and place, by digitalizing services. We want to ensure clean and safe living environments for our residences.

Social and health care services:

The social and health sector of Turku is responsible for organizing older people’s social and health services. These services include among others; emergency social services, housing, medical and hospital services. They also include care and support services for the elderly living at home as well as 24/7 services in facilities. We include elderly people in the development of these services through the senior citizens council and customer panels.

Other divisions of the city and multisectoral cooperation:

The city of Turku is involved in a variety of national development programmes to support the construction of an age-friendly and socially sustainable city. One of the most important programs is the Strength for old age -program by Age institute. This mentoring program emphasizes preventive activities, increasing autonomy, service guidance and co-creation of services together with NGOs. Turku has also actively increased the accessibility and availability of cultural services, for example library materials can be delivered directly to your door free of charge.

Living environments and urban planning:

The special needs of an ageing population is taken note of in urban planning, regional planning and maintenance of infrastructure. For example special attention has been paid to the safety of residential areas (lighting, winter maintenance of pedestrian routes, etc.). We also focus on age-friendly housing and making it possible for different age groups to meet in residential areas.