The latest data from Statistics Norway reveals some interesting trends in care services for the elderly population in the country. The statistics, covering the year 2022, provide valuable insights into the utilization of home-based services, nursing homes, and the overall expenditure on nursing and care.
One key finding is the percentage of inhabitants aged 80 years and over using home-based services, which stood at 27.7% in 2022. This represents a decrease of 3.1% compared to the previous year and a significant drop of 11.2% over the four-year period from 2018 to 2022. While the decrease may raise concerns, it is important to note that home-based services specifically refer to selected services, excluding activity and facility services.
When examining the different types of home-based services, some interesting shifts become apparent. Assistance in daily living, which includes support for various activities, experienced a slight decrease of 0.6% in users compared to the previous year, amounting to 75,974 individuals. However, home health services, which encompass both somatic and psychiatric care, witnessed a 0.6% increase, with a total of 172,327 users. User-controlled personal assistance, a service that allows individuals to direct their own care, saw a notable increase of 4.6%, reaching 4,056 users. Additionally, care benefits provided to individuals who voluntarily care for their parents, spouses, or others rose by 0.4%, benefiting 10,399 people.
In terms of nursing homes, the number of beds remained relatively stable at 39,065 in total. However, the percentage of private beds experienced a decline of 2.7% compared to the previous year, amounting to 8.2% of all beds. This decrease reflects a larger long-term trend, with a notable drop of 16.5% over the four-year period from 2018 to 2022.
Regarding institutional services, which include nursing homes, retirement homes, relief institutions, and dwellings for children, the data indicates a decrease in long-term stay residents by 1.5% (31,137 residents) and an increase in short-term stay by 4.9% (10,050 residents). These changes suggest a shifting preference towards shorter stays and more flexible care options.
The provision of care and nursing services witnessed an overall increase in staff, with a total of 151,935 man-years recorded in 2022. This represents a 2.1% rise compared to the previous year and an 8.4% increase over the four-year period from 2018 to 2022. Notably, 77.6% of these man-years were dedicated to user-directed services with health education, highlighting the growing emphasis on empowering individuals to manage their own care.
Finally, the expenditure on nursing and care services saw a substantial increase, reaching NOK 154.8 billion in 2022. This represents a rise of 7.7% compared to the previous year and a significant growth of 26.9% over the four-year period from 2018 to 2022. The investment in these services reflects the country’s commitment to providing high-quality care for its aging population.
It is important to mention that due to incorrect reporting, figures related to user-controlled personal assistance (BPA) for a municipality in 2021 were removed from the dataset. This error had an impact on county and national levels, and the figures for 2021 were subsequently corrected on 28 June 2022.
These recent statistics shed light on the evolving landscape of care services for the elderly in Norway. The changes observed in home-based services, nursing homes, staffing, and expenditure provide valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in ensuring the provision of effective and sustainable care for the aging population.