Geriatric nurses at health clinics can provide information about what home-based services are available and apply for home nursing care when appropriate. Social service counselors at service centers can also assist with applications for social home care services.

• When all reasonable social and healthcare services and support options for remaining at home have been fully exhausted. This includes home nursing care and social home support.

• When appropriate diagnostic assessments, treatment, services, and rehabilitation have been fully utilized, with improved health and independence as the guiding principles.

• When acute illness has been overcome and, where applicable, rehabilitation has been completed.

• For further guidance on the application process, contact a geriatric nurse at your primary care clinic, home nursing services, or your primary care physician.

When an application has been received, statements are requested from professionals familiar with and involved in the applicant’s care. Once all requested documentation has been received the application is presented at the next committee meeting, which is usually held weekly. The outcome is sent in writing to the applicant or their representative. The duration of this process may vary depending on how quickly the documentation is submitted. Generally, this process can be expected to take several weeks.

The assessment is valid for 12 months from the date of approval. If the individual has not been admitted within one year, a new application for a functional and health assessment must be submitted before the current assessment expires, provided there is still a need for a nursing home placement.

• At some facilities, both single and shared rooms are available. In these cases shared rooms are often offered at the time of admission, with the option to request an internal transfer later. This applies to Hrafnista Skógarbær and Skjól, and in some cases to Eir and Grund. Waiting times for these rooms are generally shorter than average.

• Hrafnista Hraunvangur has shared bathroom facilities. This is also the case in some single rooms at Eir, Grund, Hrafnista at Laugarás, and Skjól.

• Secure dementia care units are available at Droplaugarstaðir, Eir, Grund, Hrafnista at Laugarás, Hrafnista Skógarbær, Seltjörn, Skjól, and Sunnuhlíð.

• Mental health units are available at Mörk, Ási Hveragerði, and Fellsenda in Búðardalur.

• Couples’ accommodations are available at Eir, Grund, Hrafnista Hraunvangur, and Hrafnista at Laugarás. Shared rooms may also be used as couples’ accommodations.

Yes, changes to the selected facility can be submitted to the Functional and Health Assessment Committee by email at faerniogheilsa@heilsugaeslan.is.

The waiting time for a nursing home placement in the capital region is very long and can range from six months (if starting in a shared room) up to more than two years, depending on the chosen facility and internal movement within facilities. When a space becomes available two individuals are nominated for the placement and the facility makes the final selection.

No. The only factor that might possibly shorten the waiting time is selecting more facilities, for example by including shared rooms in your choices. However, this does not guarantee a shorter waiting period.

Approval for a permanent nursing home placement includes authorization for respite care admissions of up to 8 weeks. This is intended to reduce waiting time and is ideally divided into several shorter periods.

Respite care is available at Grund, Hrafnista at Laugarás, and Hrafnista Hafnarfjörður in the Capital Region, as well as at facilities throughout the country. Each facility manages its own respite care waiting list and handles requests for respite admissions.

Respite care refers to a temporary stay in a nursing home. The stay can range from a few days up to 8 weeks. The purpose of respite care is to enable individuals to continue living in their own homes.

When an application for respite care is received statements are requested from professionals familiar with and involved in the applicant’s care. Once all requested documentation has been received, the application is presented at the next committee meeting, and the outcome is sent to the applicant or their representative. The length of this process may vary depending on how quickly the documentation is submitted. Generally, this process can be expected to take several weeks.

In the capital region respite care is available at Grund, Hrafnista at Laugarás, and Hrafnista Hafnarfjörður. Respite care is also offered at facilities throughout the country.

Long waiting times may occur for respite care. Applicants or their representatives are advised to contact the facility well in advance once approval has been granted. Each facility manages its own respite care waiting list and handles requests for respite admissions.