Accessing Social Services and Benefits in Finland
As a social counsellor, I’m quite familiar with KELA and the services it provides. I don’t personally receive any monthly allowances from KELA. However, when I was a full-time student, I received both housing allowance and student financial aid. I also have the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which I applied for through the KELA website.
I accessed my health care data on OmaKanta by logging in with my online banking credentials. I realized I almost never use OmaKanta. I also checked my pension estimate using the Keva website’s calculator. It was pretty interesting…though I still have a long way to go until retirement!
Online shops
As I scrolled through various online shops, I noticed an overwhelming amount of information like product reviews, delivery options, return policies, and more. I decided to check websites that I’m familiar with but also some that I have not heard of before. For example, I compared the prices of trekking shoes between online platforms and local shops. In some shops the online prices were often cheaper. I noticed that some important details like product authenticity, and shipping times that could easily be overlooked if you’re not paying close attention.
Shops like eBay have independent sellers, so customer ratings and reviews are even more important. Sometimes, the pictures added by sellers may not be completely trustworthy or may not fully represent the product’s condition. So even if you can get a good deal you have to take your time to read things carefully.
Some online stores seemed more reliable than others and it’s always important to read carefully and double-check the information before placing an order. Especially if you have never ordered anything from that shop before. I find some online shops really annoying to use. If the site is too slow, confusing to navigate, or filled with pop-up ads I just want to close the tab and not buy anything.
Service/Application from My Field: OmaMehiläinen
I chose OmaMehiläinen, which is an application developed by Mehiläinen, a private healthcare provider in Finland. Mehiläinen is also the healthcare provider at my workplace, which is why I am familiar with the app. I went through all of the features in the app.
The app allows you to navigate through different sections such as appointments, lab results, prescriptions, and messages. I find it very easy and simple to use. Compared to some other healthcare apps I’ve used, this is one of the better ones, in my opinion. It’s simple, clean, and doesn’t have too many unnecessary buttons or links
One of the best features is the chat function, where you can talk with a nurse or doctor about minor health issues. This helps avoid unnecessary clinic visits or phone calls. I think this is a very useful and time-saving feature. For example, I once got a prescription for an eye infection in just 20 minutes through the app.
Digitalization and digital gap
As someone who works with the elderly in healthcare, I have seen firsthand the challenges and risks that can occur when someone is unable to use digital services. I thought about some examples of risks that could happen to people who don’t use digital services, reflecting on my experiences working with the elderly.
I decided to check my local health stations website. In Helsinki, for example, Health Stations’ phone lines are often very congested. The City of Helsinki’s official website even currently advises:
“If your situation is urgent, fill in a symptom assessment at Omaolo.”
Omaolo is a website where you can describe your symptoms online and, in some cases, receive recommendations or get help faster than a call back. However, if someone can’t use Omaolo or doesn’t understand how to fill it out, their only option is to wait for a call back. This means they are left out of the faster and more efficient options. So it is not necessary but it could be very helpful.
Another example is that people who cannot use digital services may be less informed about their rights and options. A lot of important information such as how to fill out applications or apply for benefits is now easily available online like when you’re applying for something through Kela. It’s possible to use paper forms, but the online process is usually much easier and faster. Also those who aren’t digitally skilled may need help from someone like a social counselor. Again, it’s often quicker to find the information you need online rather than waiting for a phone call or appointment.
If someone doesn’t use digital services, they often have to rely on family members or friends to manage tasks for them. This could mean things like accessing health records or paying bills. In my work with the elderly, I’ve seen that this often includes managing personal finances, even when the person helping does not have official power of attorney. When I meet elderly clients and their families, sometimes they say, “It’s just easier to do it this way,” but I always advise them to make a formal document to ensure everything is handled safely and legally.
Digital Competence Test
I took the Digital Competence Test, and I found it quite interesting. My scores in all of the Digital Competence Areas were between 85 % and 90%. I hope I wasn’t too confident in my answers. But i believe I have a good level of knowledge and that I use digital tools carefully. I also definitely prefer doing things online as much as I can. Even though I spend a lot of time online and prefer doing things digitally whenever possible I avoid sharing personal information, don’t post pictures of myself and often do not use my real name on social media accounts.
Self-reflection
Doing these assignments made me think about how much I personally rely on digital tools in everyday life. I can also be quite critical of them. I like to test new websites and applications, and I often get annoyed if something is not working like I feel like it should. If it’s too slow, confusing I usually choose not to use it unless it’s necessary. I feel confident in using digital services, but it’s important to also think about the other side: people who don’t use them at all, or who choose not to. As someone who works closely with elderly clients, I’ve also occasionally helped them unofficially by guiding them through how to navigate a website or use an application. We’ve often joked about this with my co-workers, saying that we sometimes act as unofficial IT support. I like to think that, in a way, it’s part of the job. But of course, in reality, we don’t always have the time.
I commented on:
https://blogi.savonia.fi/sonjas