Nursing and care services 2015

In 2015, there were 348 858 unique users of nursing and care services, which corresponds to 6.6 per cent of the population of Norway. The comparable figures for 2007 were 306 919 and 6.5 per cent. In the age group 67-79 years, only 12.6 per cent used nursing and care services. The number of users and the proportion receiving care services increase with age. Among 80-89 year-olds, more than half are users of such services, while among those 90 years and older more than 90 per cent used one or more services.

Increase in the proportion of both male and young recipients

Two in five users of the services are men, and every fourth user is under the age of 50. In 2015, the share of female users was 60 per cent. The proportion of men who use nursing and care services is increasing, which is largely due to the increasing male life expectancy. The over 80s have a particularly large share of female users. In the age groups from 18 to 66, there is virtually no gender gap. A total of 213 000 people aged 65 years and older were users of nursing and care services in 2015.

Many service users use more than one service during the year and at the same time. The same service can also be used multiple times. In total, 789 416 services were used in 2015. Most of the service users are aged 67 years and over.

Nearly two in every ten users (18 per cent) live in an institution or a home that is staffed 24 hours a day. One in ten live in another dwelling that the municipality provides, and some of these residences are not staffed round the clock. However, the vast majority of users of nursing and care services, seven in ten, live in ordinary private residences. Every fourth user with an extensive need for assistance lives in ordinary private residences. Among long-term residents of nursing homes, only 1 per cent is below the age of 50, while 76 per cent are 80 years or older.

 

The oldest and youngest recipients have the greatest need for assistance

Recipients over the age of 90 have the greatest need for assistance; 34 per cent have extensive needs. Service users aged 0-17 years make up the second largest proportion of users with an extensive need for assistance, namely 28 per cent. By comparison, the corresponding proportion varies between 17 and 23 per cent among the other age groups.