Senior Citizens
- Senior citizens in Iceland are given a pension by the state and, frequently, payments from a pension fund. The amount depends on how long they have lived in the country and their previous income.
- Most elderly people live in their homes as long as they can (or their entire lives).
- Many will receive support from their municipality (i.e., with cleaning, preparing meals, drug dosages, or help bathing) or they take advantage of leisure activities for senior citizens.
- People will pay for a portion of the costs themselves.
- Nursing homes are for senior citizens who are unable to live at home. The elderly will share in the cost of stay at the nursing home.
- Nursing homes offer 24-hour care. Nursing homes employ orderlies, nurses, and physicians.
- Certain health issues will accompany advancing age, for example:
- Anxiety and depression due to declining health and/or isolation and loneliness.
- Reduced appetite. Malnutrition and weaker immune system can follow.
- Various forms of memory impairment and dementia are common among the elderly.
The Common Cold
- The common cold is a regular communicable disease during the winter months in Iceland.
- A runny nose, fever, and sore throat can accompany the common cold.
- In Iceland, antibiotics are not prescribed for the early symptoms of the common cold.
- It is recommended that people stay indoors, get plenty of rest, and take mild pain-killers and cough-suppressants, as needed (available without a prescription at pharmacies)
- There is no need to fear the common cold - it is normally resolved in 1-2 weeks.
- Of course, people should go to their local healthcare center if the common cold or other illnesses are not resolved after a short amount of time.
Mental Health
- Mental illness and emotional problems can happen to anyone during their lifetime. They can be associated with difficult situations in our communication with others or in life.
- Excessive stress and insecurity can lead to anxiety (even post-traumatic stress disorder) and can follow traumatic events such as illness, injuries, death, or experiences during wartime, or when escaping dangerous circumstances in one's homeland.
- Many who live in Iceland will experience seasonal affective disorder during the darkest months of the year, during the height of winter.
- In Iceland, people are generally empathetic to illnesses of this kind and it is considered normal to seek medical assistance and treatment for them.
- Most people who migrate to another country will undergo a certain psychological process associated with the change. Initially, people will experience optimism and relief due to their new circumstances. But after a while, many will experience depression or negative thoughts. For most, this will gradually fade away as they achieve a more balanced emotional state.
- Sometimes, mental distress and anxiety can manifest themselves in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, or insomnia.
- It's important to look at the big picture when searching for the root causes of pain and dysphoria.
- It is good to be unafraid of letting people know how one is feeling, sharing one's experience and asking healthcare workers and therapists about possible reasons for one’s dysphoria and pain.
- The healthcare center is the first place to visit when suffering from mental health problems. A general practitioner can prescribe anti-depressants, anxiolytics, and mood stabilizers and refer patients to a psychiatrist. Psychologists are also available within the healthcare system.
- Mental health treatment teams are active both at the healthcare centers and certain service centers. They offer a variety of support, in several ways.
- Landspítalinn's critical care ward for psychiatric illnesses is located on the first floor of the psychiatric ward at Hringbraut. It is open from 12:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, and from 13:00 to 17:00 on weekends and holidays.
- It is also possible to go to the critical care unit at Landspítalinn in Fossvogur.
Addictions
- Tobacco is the primary cause of cancer and other preventable diseases.
- Smoking is the most dangerous form of tobacco use and up to half of long-term smokers will die because of it.
- Chewing tobacco and snuff is also detrimental to the user's health.
- Smoking and tobacco cessation assistance is available, including consultation, courses, and pharmaceutical products. And products at pharmacies (such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches and nicotine inhalers).
- Children under 18 are not permitted to purchase or use tobacco products.
- Excessive alcohol use can be a problem. People will often try to hide their alcohol use and stop of their own accord but have difficulties doing so.
- Alcohol addiction is a treatable disease.
- Detoxification and treatment for alcohol and drug addictions is managed at Vogur, which is run by the association SÁÁ. www.saa.is
- Long-term treatments for both women and men are also available following a stay at Vogur.
- The AA association has proven useful for many in weaning themselves off alcohol and/or drugs and maintaining sobriety. www.aa.is
- The minimum age to buy alcoholic beverages is 20 years.
- Excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs is accompanied by trouble and discomfort. Both with those who abuse alcohol/drugs, but even more so with friends and family.
- Home life is often marked by anxiety, fear, isolation, arguments, and violence.
- It is considered negligence if children must live with screaming and fighting at home due to the alcohol use of their parents/custodians.
- Other associations operate in Iceland and are focused on supporting addicts in getting well and maintaining their wellbeing, as well as supporting the families and friends of addicts with a range of issues (i.e., food addiction, gambling addiction, codependency, alcoholic's next of kin).