A study published on Apr. 10 by the University of Eastern Finland reports that older immigrants in Finland encounter significant obstacles when seeking social and healthcare services, employment, and citizenship. The research, which appeared in Retfaerd (Nordic Journal of Law and Justice), is based on interviews with 26 older immigrants living in the country.
The study matters because it highlights gaps between legal rights guaranteed by Finnish law and the actual experiences of older immigrants. These gaps can lead to unequal access to essential services for a vulnerable segment of the population.
Researchers found that non-specialised interpreters are sometimes used during healthcare visits, which may result in incorrect diagnoses. In addition, recently arrived older immigrants often lack previous health records, causing delays in receiving care. The report also notes that decisions about access to services were sometimes made at the discretion of state employees rather than strictly following legal guidelines, leading to inconsistencies for individuals with similar needs.
Another barrier identified was inconsistent communication from authorities about available rights and services; only a few participants reported receiving such information from Finnish officials. In terms of employment opportunities, limited recognition of foreign education credentials as well as discrimination based on foreign names or ethnic minority status hindered job prospects for many respondents. Health issues also affected their ability to learn Finnish, further restricting access to work and citizenship.
The researchers suggest improving how health status is assessed during citizenship applications and recommend considering language skill challenges faced by applicants. Participants viewed Finnish citizenship as important for their well-being, employment opportunities, freedom of movement, and family reunification abroad.
The study was conducted within the Neuro-Innovation PhD programme funded by the University of Eastern Finland along with support from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.
