Oslo will have 50,000 more seniors leading up to 2040. It’s not a
problem, but an opportunity.
Older people are a resource that Oslo has not been adept at making use of. Too
many seniors are not treated as the value they actually represent in society. As a
result, many experience loneliness and inactivity, and that Oslo does not benefit
from the fantastic experience that older people possess.
Although most are satisfied with Oslo’s care of older people, some family members
find that they become coordinators in the municipality. Many people experience
that the quality of services varies from district to district in the city. The standard
of residential care homes and nursing homes also varies widely. An important goal
for the City Government is to make care of older people more equal throughout the
city.
The “Action Plan for an Age-friendly City” and “Plan for Safe and Diversified Care
of older people” will lay the foundation for taking Oslo from institutional and
stopwatch-based care of older people to active ageing where seniors are in charge
of their own lives. More will be able to live at home longer; seniors will experience
active city life and be confident that the municipality will come to their aid when
their health fails.
In order to make it possible for more people to live at home longer, we are adding
more home care employees, we are introducing activity time in the home care
service in addition to home nursing care and practical assistance and we are
establishing more meeting places for seniors.
We are also taking new steps to make it easier to get around Oslo, including
through new age-friendly transport solutions. Although more people will be able
to live at home longer, it is equally important that those who need new housing will
have options. That’s why we are now building more residential care homes (Care+)
in Oslo specially adapted for those seeking safety and activities. The facilities will
have 24-hour staffing, cafés, various health services and a variety of activities. The
nursing homes will be upgraded to a new standard. In Oslo people will be allowed
to be themselves regardless of age. Together, we will make Oslo an age-friendly
city.
Tone Tellevik Dahl
Vice Mayor for Primary Health and Social Services in Oslo

The Oslo City Government joined the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities in May of 2014 as the first city in Norway.