Toimintakykyä ikääntyneille - Työkykyä työntekijöille

Background and goals

In this project the Arcada UAS, Kuntoutussäätiö, and Lentävä liitutaulu Oy will improve the employment situation in the healthcare focusing on services for the aging population. The project will also strengthen the management of changes in the labor market due to a shortage of skilled labor services for the aging population. A significant reason for the labor shortage is the high workload and the fact that many professionals leave work in the healthcare sector due to a decline in workability or early retirement. At the same time, the population is aging and there is an increasing need for services. From the perspective of the timing of services for the older population, the problem is the lack of early support for this target group. The existing services are, therefore, difficult for employees to produce and are scheduled at too late a stage from the point of view of the end users' needs. The project supports an extensive partnership and cooperation between welfare areas, employment services, and private sector operators, especially technology companies.

Objectives and benefits

This project will improve the employment situation of professionals in the social and health care sector, which is undergoing a period of change, and strengthen the management of changes in workforce needs by strengthening the skills of professionals already trained in the social and health care sector to move to new tasks. At the same time, it will ensure the sustainability of a skilled workforce in the sector and strengthen the sector's attractiveness for new, skilled workers. The measures will increase the readiness and ability of the social and health care sector to adapt to challenges, such as the labor shortage and the growing need for care for the elderly.

Results

Expected results: The project solves challenges related to the social welfare sector and services for the aging population with an innovative approach that both renews the service structure and increases the retention and attractiveness of the workforce in the sector. The project will create a new operating model for the interface between welfare areas and employment services, based on reablement for an aging population. The project will support welfare areas in establishing reablement rehabilitation teams, which, according to research, also supports employees' work ability and coping at work.

Societal impact

The actions in the project create a training opportunity relevant to working life in which partially able-bodied people will be supported to update their skills to meet the needs of working life, to stay longer in working life, or to return to work after part-time sick leave.

Sustainable development goals