Strained caregivers and wishes for round-the-clock care flag unmet needs among Finnish home care clients

Nearly one in ten older Finns receiving home care would prefer to move into 24-hour care, and one in five of their informal caregivers reports strain, according to a nationwide study based on Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) home care data collected in 2023. The study, published open access in the European Journal of Ageing, examined these two measures as potential indicators of unmet care needs among home care clients aged 65 and over.

The researchers analysed preferences for 24-hour care among 39,652 clients whose assessments included input from the client and/or a family member. Caregiver strain was examined in a separate group of 35,833 clients who received both informal and formal home care. Logistic regression models were used to estimate how client characteristics were associated with each outcome.

Approximately 9% of clients preferred 24-hour care, while 19.5% of caregivers experienced strain. Clients in both groups received more informal and more formal care than others. Greater difficulties in health and functioning, and social factors that may indicate unmet care needs, were associated with both outcomes. The strong association between preferring 24-hour care and caregiver strain suggests the two indicators are closely intertwined.

The authors note that population ageing is shifting long-term care policies towards supporting ageing in place, and that while most older adults prefer to remain at home, this preference depends on receiving sufficient support. Inadequate home care may contribute to unmet care needs, caregiver strain, and a desire to move to more intensive care settings. Together with previous literature, the findings suggest that caregiver strain and preferences for 24-hour care may signal unmet care needs and potentially insufficient home care, and that assessing both client needs and caregiver capacity is essential to sustain ageing in place.

Subject of Research: Indicators of unmet care needs among older home care clients in Finland

Article Title: When ageing in place falls short: indicators of unmet care needs among older home care clients in Finland

Article References: Aaltonen, M., Halonen, P., Edgren, J., Häsä, J., & van Aerschot, L. (2026). When ageing in place falls short: indicators of unmet care needs among older home care clients in Finland. European Journal of Ageing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-026-00954-5

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1007/s10433-026-00954-5

Keywords: ageing in place, home care, unmet care needs, caregiver strain, 24-hour care preference, RAI data, Finland, older adults, long-term care, informal care, ageing, place