It should be good to grow older in Iceland Integrating Health and Social Care Services in Iceland

The Icelandic government and local authorities have embarked on an ambitious initiative from 2024 to 2027, integrating health and social care services across 22 municipalities (of 63) and six healthcare institutions. This approach addresses the increased complexity in home care, driven by Iceland’s rapidly aging population and high service expectations. Currently, health and social care services are divided between the state and municipalities. The capital city, Reykjavik has led in this field, offering integrated home care since 2009, and its experience has provided valuable insights into the benefits of unified elderly care.

A core principle of this project is to support healthy aging, and under the framework of the Good to Grow Older action plan, the government is committed to enhancing the quality of life for older citizens. This plan is built on five pillars: integration, activity, information, service development and housing. These elements aim to facilitate comprehensive, accessible services that promote active and healthy aging. The Good to Grow Older project operates on the belief that older people are valuable members of society whose contributions and well-being should be supported.

Self-assessment list (WHODAS) is one of the key elements to achieve these goals. WHODAS is a standardized self-assessment tool to evaluate the capabilities of older persons in daily activities. By implementing WHODAS, the project ensures a more individualized assessment, enabling better alignment of services with individual needs and efficient resource allocation around Iceland.

Good to Grow Older are launching six pilot projects of integrated home care across Iceland, focusing on developing service models that place citizens at the center. This initiative seeks to deliver health and social care in the home, respecting individual capabilities and preferences and adapting to the changing needs of each person. The shift also seeks to overcome challenges, such as administrative “silos” and fragmented responsibilities across sectors, which have historically limited effective service delivery.

To enhance service accessibility and quality, the project emphasizes digital solutions and distance-spanning services. Digitalization plays a critical role by merging healthcare and social care systems, reducing administrative boundaries, and increasing service efficiency. This digital transition not only elevates the user experience by bundling services into a seamless, integrated care package but also addresses the pressing need for innovative solutions in the face of limited manpower and growing demand.

 

The Good to Grow Older project sets a clear timeline with milestones: by 2027, initial project results will be available, and a comprehensive review of all actions will be completed by 2027, guiding future development. Through these efforts, Iceland is laying the groundwork for sustainable, citizen-centered home care solutions that can address the demographic challenges posed by an aging population.

By combining the lessons from Reykjavik’s integrated care experience with insights gained through WHODAS assessments, the project aims to create scalable models for elderly care. Ultimately, this comprehensive initiative seeks to make aging in Iceland not only manageable but fulfilling, ensuring that older adults are active, supported members of society who can continue to live at home and engage in their communities.