Ageing and housing

Housing needs vary depending on your life situation. It is a good idea to prepare in advance for the changes in housing needs that come with ageing. Here you will find information on planning for housing, as well as assistance and advice.

Ageing and housing

By planning ahead, you have time to sort things out, consider your options and proceed at a more relaxed pace. Ageing and potential illnesses can affect your eyesight, mobility at home and outside the home, and your personal resources. A safe home and living environment that meets your needs supports independent living for older people.

You can consider the suitability of your own home and living environment by asking yourself the following questions, for example:

• What is the entrance to my home like?
  – front door, threshold, steps, lift, lighting, door width
• What kind of maintenance does my current home require? Snow removal
  , renovations, lawn mowing, waste management, heating
• Are home maintenance tasks your own responsibility and do you have to pay for them yourself?
  – maintenance company, resident themselves or relatives, availability and price of services purchased from exte al providers
• How close are shopping and health services?
  – grocery store, pharmacy, health centre
• How can I get around in the local area?
  – on foot, by car (parking spaces), by public transport
• How suitable are my living environment and home for moving around with assistive devices?
  – Accessible and sufficiently wide passageways
• What kinds of leisure activities are available nearby?
  – municipality, associations, adult education centre, parish and organisations
• What is my support network like? Can I get help from them?
  Help from family, friends or neighbours

Housing advice

You can contact the Tuusula municipality’s housing advisor for the elderly for all matters related to housing. The housing advisor’s guidance and advice are free of charge, regardless of the type of housing or accommodation. You can reach the housing advisor by telephone on 040 314 3068 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

You can contact a housing advisor for assistance with the following housing matters, for example:

• when you want to consider future changes
• find solutions to existing situations
• ask for advice and guidance on housing matters.

Repair grants and repair advice

Renovation grants from state funds are available for the homes of elderly and disabled people. The State-supported Housing Construction Centre (Varke) provides guidance on applying for, awarding and paying grants, makes grant decisions and oversees the operation of the system. 

Varke grants accessibility and lift subsidies to housing companies and other real estate companies and organisations.

The Central Association for the Welfare of the Elderly provides repair advice to people over 65 and helps them apply for grants.

Further information:

Anticipating housing needs:

Housing-related technology and housing safety:

Support for housing:

Housing for the elderly:

This content has been translated using AI