The Association of Care-Giving Relatives and Friends is a Finnish NGO which protects the interests of people in Finland who care for sick, disabled or elderly relatives or friends at home. They have recently submitted two complaints to the European Social Committee with regard to the provision of care to elderly people.
First, the Association complains that whilst Finnish legislation provides for a power for local authorities to grant financial support to carers, in practice such support varies widely, depending upon the local authority budget. The Association alleges a breach of the European Social Charter right to social protection for elderly persons.
Secondly, the Association complains that whereas charges for local authority care provided to elderly people were previously fixed, they now fall within the local authorities' discretion. The Association alleges that in some cases, charges are so high as to be prohibitive. They allege breaches of elderly people's rights to social protection; social and medical assistance; social welfare services; support as elderly people living in institutions.
Click here to view the details of the complaint on the European Social Committee website.