How social media is reshaping human relationships…
Finnish Social insurance institution (KELA)
Kela, the Finnish Social Insurance Institution, offers a range of social security benefits to residents, such as pensions, unemployment benefits, child allowances, and healthcare coverage. These benefits ensure financial security and well-being for individuals and families in Finland. As a resident, I am entitled to access these benefits like anyone else. Three components of Kela’s support have directly impacted me:
- Student Benefit: Kela provides financial assistance to students enrolled in full-time degree programs. This monthly allowance helps cover living expenses like rent and transportation. During my nursing degree, I relied on this support along with a student loan guaranteed by Kela. Graduating on time meant Kela paid part of my loan, and I could set a plan to repay the remaining amount.
- Housing Benefit: Kela’s housing benefit supports residents who need help with housing costs, including rent or home loan repayments. The amount depends on income and living conditions. Unfortunately, recent government cuts to this benefit have significantly impacted many in Finland, including myself.
- Sickness Allowance: Kela’s sickness benefit provides financial support to individuals unable to work due to illness or injury. It is based on average daily earnings and can cover medical travel expenses. I received this support during a three-month illness, which gave me peace of mind and motivation to contribute to the system.
These benefits have been essential in supporting my well-being and financial stability while living in Finland.
Omakanta
OmaKanta is a Finnish national online service that allows citizens to access their health records, prescriptions, and other medical information. It’s a secure platform managed by Kela, the Finnish Social Security Institution. Through OmaKanta, you can view your medical history, renew prescriptions, and access information about your appointments and diagnoses. It’s a convenient way to manage your health information online. For me use omakanta to renew my prescription also check my labtest. Its very convinitent and handly. To log in, we need a strong identilication such as bank code, Mobile certificate, or with me sometimes i used Social and health care professional card or organization card.
KEVA
I recently visited Keva’s website and used their pension estimation tool. According to the system, I can officially retire at 67 years and 7 months, though this is not a final confirmation. The estimate showed that my pension would increase by around €400 if I choose to extend my retirement until the age of 69 years and 11 months. However, I believe this estimate may change significantly, as my income fluctuates year by year due to shift work. If I choose to take early retirement at age 63, I could receive around 50% of my pension. However, this would significantly reduce my monthly pension to just over €1,000. The early pension option comes with a notable financial reduction compared to waiting for full retirement age.
Online shopping
I would say that I am a big fan of online shopping. As I live in a small town with limited shopping options, about 70% of the items I purchase are online. I categorize my online shopping into two groups: one for travel-related purchases such as tickets and hotels, and the other for daily necessities like clothes and miscellaneous items. For flights, I used to book through travel agencies like Booking.com or Trivago, but I’ve since switched to booking directly with airlines. The price might be a bit higher, but it’s easier to modify bookings, and I can also earn loyalty points for future use.
When it comes to clothes, I usually shop from well-known European sites like Boozt, About You, and Zalando, as they are reliable and offer good quality. I tried using Temu once, but I didn’t like it because the shipping took longer, and the quality of the items wasn’t great. Generally, online shopping is cheaper than local stores, and they offer many promotions throughout the year. However, in some cases, local shops can be cheaper. To make sure I get the best deal, I use comparison tools before purchasing. There are many tools, such as HintaVertaa, for comparing prices. For hotels, I’ve pinned a price comparison Ratepunk tool directly to my browser to avoid overpaying.
Most of the shops I use are reliable, and so far, I haven’t had any issues with them. Even with after-sales service, everything has gone smoothly. If I come across a new site for shopping, the first thing I do is check reviews online. There are many platforms for reviews, such as Trustpilot. Based on that, I decide whether to try a new service.
Google translate image scan
Because of my lack of Finnish language skills, even though I have to use it in daily working life, I still need a lot of support from my devices. One of the apps and techniques I use most is Google Translate Image. In many cases, I use my phone to translate instructions from bottle labels. Sometimes, we have products in languages other than Finnish or English, and the phone with the translate image app works perfectly in those situations.
Digitalization and digital gap
The rapid advancement of technology has widened the digital divide, creating disparities between different groups,particularly between younger and older generations, as well as between wealthier and poorer nations. This gap is exacerbated by unequal access to education and resources, leaving economically disadvantaged individuals at a further loss. For instance, online shopping is often cheaper than local stores, putting those without internet access at a disadvantage. In the job market, many positions now require digital skills, and those who lack them miss out on opportunities. In Finland, banking services are largely online, making it possible to secure a home loan without visiting a bank in person. Additionally, limited digital literacy hampers access to essential services like education and healthcare, especially in areas with restricted internet access. Moreover, people who struggle to adapt to digitalization face heightened risks of online scams, phishing, and identity theft, as they are more vulnerable to sophisticated cyber threats. Bridging this gap requires improving access to education, technology, and digital literacy programs to ensure more equal opportunities for all.
I have done a test for an overview of the digital competencies:
Reflection
I have been familiar with the Finnish social and healthcare system. However, it is constantly updating and changing every day due to various factors like the economy and politics. Additionally, it seems that my pension plan has become more challenging. I learned that delaying retirement increases my pension, while early retirement significantly reduces it. I hope we can find a solution for this in the future. Regarding online services, the reliability of online retailers is key, and reading reviews on platforms like Trustpilot helps ensure safe purchases. In my field, digital platforms like OmaKanta streamline tasks such as managing patient records and prescriptions, reducing paperwork and improving efficiency. My experience with these tools demonstrates their value in daily healthcare operations. The growing digital gap creates challenges for those who lack access to technology, particularly older adults or economically disadvantaged individuals. Without digital skills, they risk being excluded from essential services like healthcare, banking, and job opportunities. Digital literacy and access are crucial for bridging this divide and ensuring equal opportunities for all.
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