Research group
Dignified Old Age
We research and develop the field of gerontology. We focus on a skilled and thriving care workforce in a changing and age-friendly world.
As life expectancy rises, more and more students and workers in the social and health care sector will encounter older people in their work. Gerontological skills are needed in all social and health services.
Client safety in services for the elderly must be ensured. In addition, modernisation of the sector requires the use of digital technologies and a new way of working for employees. At the heart of all communication is a sense of dignity in old age.
What we research and develop
We are a trusted partner in research, development and innovation (RDI) on issues relating to older people and for selling expert services and development expertise. We promote care and education for older people through a research and work-based approach.
The research group’s priorities are:
- Developing training in care for the elderly
- Strengthening the skills of older workers and developing the attractiveness and retention of the sector
- Supporting the take-up of digital and age-friendly technologies
- Client and patient safety in services for older people
What do we do and develop in practice?
Watch the research group’s presentation video.
We want to make an impact and make RDI activities relevant to the world of work. This requires that we have a shared vision with the world of work on what are the most important areas for research and development. How could we help you or your organisation to succeed with us towards a dignified old age?
Sini Eloranta, Principal Lecturer, Associate Professor of Gerontological Nursing Science, Research Group Leader
Main publications
Terveys- ja hyvinvointiteknologia vaatii rohkeaa kokeilua ja yritysyhteistyötä (Talk 28.3.2024)
Edistysaskelia ikääntyvien hoitotyössä ja terveydenhuollon haasteiden ratkaisemisessa (Talk 29.2.2024)
Eloranta S, Hoffrén-Mikkola M, Komulainen M, Mikkola T, Teeri S, Roivas M. 2023. Onnistunut etäkotihoito.
Turun AMK:n sairaanhoitajakoulutuksen opetus uudistuu Campuskoti Merihelmessä (Terveyskampus Turku 8.11.2023)
Jarnila, I., & Eloranta, S. (2024). Iäkkäiden asiakkaiden kokemuksia etäkotihoidosta. Gerontologia, 38(1), 3–15. https://doi.org/10.23989/gerontologia.130934
Hoffrén-Mikkola M, Eloranta S, Teeri S, Mikkola T, Komulainen M. Finnish tele-homecare workers satisfaction with the inclusion of telehomecare in older adults´ home care and factors associated with it. International Journal of Older People Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/opn.12604.
Eloranta S, Teeri S, Komulainen M, Hoffrén-Mikkola M, Mikkola T. 2023. “I get to do what I want to do, now I just do it remotely” – perceptions of workers and managers.
Laine M, Eloranta S. 2023. Sitovaa vapautta – ikäihmisten perhehoitajien kokemuksia tehtävästään. Gerontologia, 37(1), 21–35.
Education
- Customer-oriented continuing education
Everyday life in primary care from the start of your studies
The research group is active at Campus Home Merihelmi, which combines a real working environment of elderly care with the expertise of nursing education. The Salo nursing home is a meeting place for students and teachers, residents and their relatives, as well as the staff of the unit.
The learning concept, which is unique in Finland, is implemented and developed in cooperation with the City of Salo and the wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland.
Health and wellbeing technologies require bold experimentation
Cooperation between technology companies and the social and health sectors is key in making better use of technology and improving the quality of life of older people.
The SOMA project will develop a new kind of testbed operating model that will allow testing of different products and solutions in a real environment. At the same time, students will be able to practise using different technologies.
The ageing population challenges nursing
The ageing population poses challenges for health care worldwide. In Europe alone, the number of older people is expected to increase significantly over the next decades.
An international project is developing a continuing education programme for nurses. The aim is to ensure that nurses have the necessary skills to meet the diverse needs of older people.
Successful telecare requires a new set of skills for workers
Home care for older people has been under pressure to change in recent years. The challenges have been in particular the growth in client numbers and service needs, as well as the availability and adequacy of staff. At the same time, working environments have become more digital.
The results of the research project show that successful telecare and increased job satisfaction for workers require the right kind of work organisation and targeted support for software adoption.
A reliable partner
The Dignified Old Age research group works closely with the services for older people in the wellbeing services county of Southwest Finland. The group also works in partnership with the GeroNursingCentre (GNC), a research and competence centre for rehabilitation nursing for older people at the University of Oulu.
Are you interested in people’s well-being and quality of life?
The research group conducts Elo-D® observations on memory units. The Elo-D® observation method has been developed to support care communities to provide information on residents’ experiences in order to develop a care culture that strengthens the quality of life and good care. The aim is to highlight issues that strengthen the well-being of people with memory disorders. If you are interested, please contact the research group leader for more information.
Our experts
Strong project skills
Turku University of Applied Sciences’ Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.