Living at home with support
Older people are enabled to live a normal home life as long as possible by receiving home care that meets people in their everyday lives.
The state and municipalities are responsible for public services for older people, health services for which the state is responsible and social services which are the responsibility of municipalities.
It is important to look carefully at the services and assistance available at home to help provide this service and to increase opportunities for everyone to live longer at home.
Home care services are divided into home support or support services (formerly known as social services) and home care services. It is called integrated home care when these services are operated by the same provider. Tele-services are a growing part of home care services and contribute to diversity, for example, with screen-visits.
Home support
The aim of home support is to provide those who require assistance with daily activities. The service can be temporary or long-term, depending on circumstances. It is provided as a day, evening or weekend service.
The services include, for example:
Support for activities of daily life
Support for the home
Social support
Meals delivered to the home for those who cannot take care of cooking themselves
If a person needs home support you must apply to the municipality you live in. Fee for home support depends on the tariff of each municipality.
Residential care is intended for those who live at home and require regular health care, for example due to diseases or the consequences of illness and accidents.
Home nursing services are free of charge and include
General care and monitoring of mental and physical health
Medication administration
Dressing changes
Contact the local health centre to assess the need for home care and/or home rehabilitation.
Assistance may be needed to restore and maintain function, health and quality of life.
Rehabilitation at home is for people who have applied for home support, support services or home care and it is believed that rehabilitation is likely to be successful.
Home rehabilitation is offered in several locations, including the capital area and Árborg.
More municipalities are preparing to provide this service.
Older people are encouraged to take advantage of hot meals: that are sold at a reasonable price at the nearest community centre.
Many municipalities offer meals delivered at home for older people. You must apply for them by contacting your local municipality.
Renewal of driver's licenses for 65 years and older
General driving privileges must be renewed at the age of 70. Renewal of driving licences for 65 years and older.
P-card, parking card for persons with reduced mobility
Elderly people may be entitled to a parking card (P mark) for the disabled to park in a specially marked parking space (P mark). They are mostly at the places where people get services, such as public institutions and shops.
Driving assistance
Those who cannot longer drive their own car are encouraged to use public transport. Seniors get a 50% discount on fares. In situations where the person cannot use the bus, a subsidized driving service is available.
It is worth drawing attention to the fact that the cost of owning and operating a small, lightly driven car for one year is close to two million krona per year according to information from the Icelandic Automobile Owners Association. For the same amount of money, you can make many trips with the driving service provided by you community.
You need to apply for driving services from the relevant municipality.
Icelandic Health contributes to the cost of assistive devices covered by the Regulation on subsidies for assistive devices.
Assistive devices are intended to:
enable users to cope with the activities of daily life
increase self-sufficiency and security
be used for longer than three months
in certain cases, training and treatment
Iceland Health groups assistive devices in the following categories:
Prosthetic and therapeutic devices
Prosthetic and therapeutic devices include: orthopedic shoes and insoles, artificial limbs and other artificial parts, braces, compression stockings and compression devices and breathing aids and oxygen. A healthcare worker must apply for a grant for the purchase of support and treatment aids.
Technical devices
There are a variety of technical devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers, security call systems, aids in cars, various aids for bathing and going to the toilet, such as flush seats or flushing and drying equipment, support equipment of various kinds, door openers, ramps, air lift systems, communication and environmental management equipment and more. A healthcare worker must apply for a grant to purchase a technical aid.
Disposable aids
Disposable aids include: diapers, protective gloves, diabetes aids, ostomy aids and urinary catheters and urine bags. A healthcare worker must apply for a grant for the purchase of disposable aids.
Hearing aids
Iceland Health may subsidize in getting hearing aids if pensioner meet the relevant requirements.
Nutrition and special diets
Health insurance subsidizes vital nutrients and special diets and in the case of long-term need. A healthcare worker applies for a grant to buy nutrition and special food.
List of device providers
Welfare technology advances and can improve people's quality of life. It promotes independence, safety and mental and physical skills of older people.
Various simple technical solutions are already available, including robot vacuum cleaners, wc flushers and electric shuttles.
Welfare technology is also used in services to people, e.g. screen visits and medication dispensers.
Here are some links that give an idea of what is available.
It is important for older people to take care of their safety. Safety in that sense includes making your home less dangerous.
• Mats sometimes need to be removed as they may cause falls. It is often sufficient to put adhesive tapes underneath them to prevent them from slipping.
• Spam hob. There are many hazards in homes, especially for those who are beginning to lose skills. It is recommended that spam hobs turn off themselves if they are forgotten or if you remove a pot from the stove without switching off.
• Attention should be paid to lighting when your vision dims.
• Handrails and support rods may need to be installed in showers or near beds.
To reduce the risk of accidents for older people, the National Association of Elderly People, Landsbjörg and the Safety Academy have published a brochure (in Icelandic) on Safe Senior Years and where and how to prevent accidents in older people.
Safety buttons are important aids when your health deteriorates. Icelandic Health subsidizes buttons from major vendors. Some also perceive when a user falls and sends out a signal.
Violence
Violence should never be tolerated. The situation can often be vulnerable, especially for older people who have lived together for a long time. If you worry about a friend you can find instructions on Heilsuvera. (in Icelandic)
Special attention is given to any kind of violence against people on the website of the Emergency Line 112.is Abuse in close relationships, where you can find definitions of various forms of violence. On the site you can also access live chat with service providers if you suspect that someone is being violent.