Opinion|Reader’s opinion
There are currently 363,000 people over the age of 70 who have difficulty walking half a mile.
Employment pension insurance company According to Varma’s pension director Jyrki Ras (HS 20.11.) Rehabilitation of working-age people with musculoskeletal disorders has been successful. The background is the interplay between the employer and occupational health care, as well as the service system, which has been successful in maintaining the working capacity of the working-age population.
On the eve of the Sote reform, it is essential to look beyond the working age to the elderly – many rehabilitation measures only affect citizens under 65 years of age.
Although some older people are in very good physical condition, statistics show that the proportion of people with severe functional impairments has risen alarmingly. Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases such as pain, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis with fractures are the most disabling physical disorder and increase with age. There are currently 363,000 people over the age of 70 who have difficulty walking half a mile. Climbing one step creates difficulty for 312,000 people.
As the ability to function weakens, the chances of surviving one’s own daily life decrease. At the same time, the risk of falls, fractures and premature death increases.
Finns are aging the fastest in Europe: According to the population forecast, the number of people over the age of 80 will increase by 50% over the next ten years. The proportion of the population over the age of 65 is estimated to rise from the current 18% to 26% by 2030. The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has predicted a sharp increase in the inconvenience of the functional capacity, unless the development can be changed. At the same time, the goal of society is to keep older people as functional as possible and, where possible, to support living at home, so that the costs of society’s care and nursing services remain reasonable.
Extensive societal efforts to promote health are needed to change development, but also improvements in the service system. Studies show that rehabilitation for the elderly is worthwhile. Rehabilitation measures can have significant results, especially in the elderly group. Even on the eve of the centenary, you can improve your muscle condition!
In the context of the Sote reform, it is therefore necessary to find solutions to maintain the viability of the aging population.
Ansa Holm
executive director
Finnish Bone Association
Marja Kinnunen
executive director
Finnish Association of Musculoskeletal Disorders Come ry
Reader opinions are speeches written by HS readers, selected and delivered by HS’s editorial staff. You can leave a comment or read the principles of writing at www.hs.fi/kirjtamielipidekirjoitus/.
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