Welfare services aimed at successful ageing

Services for older people in Hafnarfjörður aim for successful ageing. Sjöfn Guðmundsdóttir is the Head of the Support and Auxiliary Services Department at the Family and Children's Services Division of the City of Hafnarfjörður.

Sjöfn mentions that health promotion is a major part of the services for older people in Hafnarfjörður. These include exercise, walking groups, both indoors and outdoors, aqua aerobics, the Janus project, and all-round training for those aged 65 and over. „Hafnarfjörður is a healthy community, and through this project, interesting cultural walks are offered over the summer. The Eldri borgarar, FEBH, the Physiotherapists“ Association and the Municipality of Hafnarfjörður launched the 'Brúkum bekki' project in 2013. Through this project, nearly fifty benches have been installed across the town on well-marked walking trails, with more to be added," she says. Means-tested leisure grants are available to senior citizens, and they are well utilised for a wide variety of physical activities and leisure pursuits.

^{Sjöfn Guðmundsdóttir has long been involved in matters concerning senior citizens in Hafnarfjörður. THE NEWS PAPER/ VALLI}

Advisory Council on the Affairs of Older People

The Elders' Council of Hafnarfjörður held its first meeting in 2006, and Hafnarfjörður was the first municipality to establish such a forum for cooperation. The Elders' Council advises the town council on matters concerning senior citizens. Furthermore, the collaboration between the City of Hafnarfjörður and the seniors' association in Hafnarfjörður has resulted in a strong and diverse social programme, which is available to all residents aged 60 and over. The City of Hafnarfjörður has organised courses on smart devices, and during the period when the social activities could not be held in person due to the pandemic, tablet chats for senior citizens were introduced. An emphasis was placed on staying in telephone contact with a group of older people, with the aim of breaking down social isolation and loneliness.

Sólvangur is a comprehensive service centre for older people.

It can be said that Sólvangur has become a centre for services for older people. Sólvangur now houses a general day care service with 14 places and a specialised day training service with 12 places. On the first floor of the old building, there are now 11 nursing rooms in addition to the 60 rooms in the new Sólvangur, and 39 rooms for respite care and rehabilitation are nearing completion. In the near future, a facility for both home care and home nursing staff is planned on-site, which will facilitate collaboration and cooperation and lay the foundations for a holistic service for older people. In September 2020, the 'Healthy Friends' project was presented to the managers and staff of Hafnarfjörður municipality. It is planned that all staff will attend the course, as well as staff from companies in Hafnarfjörður who wish to do so. In this way, Hafnarfjörður will become a 'Healthy Friends' town. 

„It's not enough to exercise.“ Sjafn says. „Nutrition must also be considered, and there are two canteens for senior citizens in Hafnarfjörður, as well as a home-delivery meal service. Senior citizens can apply for help with cleaning, and assistance is approved following an assessment. Staff provide information on the welfare technology that can be used when the ability to carry out household chores diminishes. Older people can also apply for transport services for health-related journeys, for example to attend medical appointments. There is a good working atmosphere among the staff, and many have worked with us for decades. The service is constantly expanding, and we strive to adapt to the needs of each individual. We place an emphasis on prevention and health promotion, with an increased quality of life as our main priority,“ Sjafn says.

An interview with Sjöfn was published in Fréttablaðið on Thursday, 3 March 2022..