Briefly in English

Carers Finland

Carers Finland is an advocacy and support association for carers. Our mission is to improve the social status of families in informal care situations by e.g. influencing legislation and the public opinion. We exist for carers and their loved ones, local associations as well as all citizens, volunteers and professionals interested in informal care.

Our operations focus on

improving the status of carers and promoting the development of informal care,
supporting local associations, and
supporting carers’ wellbeing.

Together with local associations, we

reach carers both within and outside formal support systems
advocate to improve the status and quality of life of carers and their families
monitor social changes affecting families in informal care situations
evaluate the impact of these changes
develop our operations to better support families in informal care situations

Our activities include, for example, providing guidance and advice, as well as training on issues related to informal care. We also carry out various development projects to support families in informal care situations. In addition, we produce informational and support materials. You can read more at our strategy(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan) (pdf).

Contact info

Carers Finland / Omaishoitajaliitto ry
Tel +358 20 7806 500
toimisto@omaishoitajat.fi

Local associations contact info.

Questions about family care?

Send an email to us: toimisto@omaishoitajat.fi

Become a member

By joining your local association, you strengthen the voice of advocacy. Together, we make a greater impact.

You can join a local association online. If you don’t know which local association to join, you will be registered a member of the local association closest to you. The membership fee is € 30 per year (2026).

Who is a carer?

A person who provides care for a family member or a loved one who is unable to cope with everyday activities independently because of an illness, disability or some other special care need.

Carers are for example parents of children with disabilities or adults who take care of their spouses or parents.

Informal care in Finland

Informal care situations vary depending on how much and what kind of care is needed. Over one million Finns help their family members or loved ones in some way.

It is estimated that there are about 350 000 so-called primary care givers and about 60 000 of them are in binding and demanding situations.

Only about 50 000 people receive support for informal care that is granted by the wellbeing services county according to the Act on Support for Informal Care. Thus, the majority of carers provide support without help from society.

Support for informal care

Guide for those planning to become informal carers (siirryt toiseen palveluun)(suomi.fi)

Support for informal care is a form of assistance that includes services for the care recipient, as well as a care allowance, respite leaves, and support services for the carer.

Support for informal care is not a so-called subjective or absolute right, but the wellbeing services county reserves an annual allocation for it. Wellbeing services counties determine their own, more detailed criteria and care allowance classes which can vary from one county to another.