The aim of elderly care is to offer support, quality care and rehabilitation for the elderly and the longterm ill. Elderly care should be characterized by good treatment, security and participation.

Furthermore, the aim is to enable the elderly to stay in their home environment as long as they wish and are able to. At home they should have the services they need to manage their daily life. When they – due to old age or illness – find it difficult to manage, elderly care can offer assistance in different ways through services, attention, care and rehabilitation. Home help services, meals on wheels, care phones and allowances for informal care are examples of such contributions. When the need of care and attention is extensive, residence in a retirement home can be the solution.

Elderly care takes an activating and rehabilitating approach, which means that those engaged in elderly care

• encourage the elderly to perform according to their capacity

• assist with the chores the elderly cannot manage on their own and perform tasks together with the elderly based on each person’s circumstances

• motivate and encourage the elderly to make their own choices and support them in retaining their interests and habits as well as taking responsiblity for their daily life.