Snow removal assistance for elderly people
This past winter has been very snowy. Snow removal efforts have been inadequate in many municipalities, including ours, as a result of which many elderly people with limited mobility, especially those who use walkers or wheelchairs, have been practically confined to their homes. This applies not only to those living in detached houses, but also to those living in terraced houses and flats, as moving around on the streets and roads has been difficult or even impossible due to heavy snow and slippery conditions.
The current trend seems to be that elderly people should live in their own homes for as long as possible, often far too long. Keusote’s Productivity Programme 2022-2026 (Review of preparations 17 February 2022 – Keusote Council), which is still in the draft stage, states with concern that “enhanced assisted living will be replaced by other forms of service”. Keusote therefore also has a great responsibility to create conditions that make it possible to live at home.
In order to ensure that elderly people who want to live in their own homes can continue to do so in future winters, the municipality, together with Keusote (hereinafter referred to as the Welfare Area) well in advance of the coming winter to draw up a practical plan on how and where elderly people who need help with snow clearance can easily get it. This could be assisted by homeowners’ associations and other third sector organisations, as well as the employment of unemployed people in supported work, for example as home or village handymen, if the municipality is able to support the activity flexibly. Good examples of different models can be found in other municipalities, such as Inari, Kuhmo, Hailuoto and Raahe.
In addition, in future snow ploughing tenders, the municipality should require that access routes to detached houses as well as terraced and apartment buildings be kept open, i.e. no high snow banks should be left on the roads after ploughing. When selecting snow ploughing contractors, it should also be required that they have suitable equipment for clearing yard access roads.
Spring is just around the corner and the situation is improving, but we need to be prepared for the future. There will be snow again next winter, although we do not yet know how much. However, it is wise to be prepared in this matter as well. “The most affordable option for everyone is to help the elderly. A helping hand from the municipality helps them to live at home longer,” says Markku Maikkola, property manager for the municipality of Hailuoto.
This content has been translated using AI
Processing stages
- Council §33: To be prepared by the municipal executive committee
- Management team To be prepared by Human Resources Services and the Municipal Sector
- Wellbeing and Health Promotion Committee §27 Ehdotus kunnanhallitukselle ja edelleen valtuustolle
- Municipal council §255 Ehdotus valtuustolle
- Council §58 Aloite käsitelty