Age Institute in brief
Age Institute is a national expert organization that promotes healthy aging through research, development, and education. Our work is guided by the voices of older adults themselves, their experiences of daily life, and their perspectives on the society around them.
Age Institute is maintained by a foundation established in 1971. We operate in the third sector and work closely with municipalities, organizations, and other stakeholders.
Contents
What do we do?
How do we operate?
Strategy
Examples of projects
Organization and Funding
Board of Directors of the Age Institute Foundation
Contact Information
What do we do?
We develop inspiring solutions for healthy aging.
Our work focuses in particular on:
- promoting physical activity
- mental well-being and social inclusion
- age-friendly and safe living environments
Our goal is for older adults to have the opportunity to:
- be physically active enough to support their well-being
- strengthen their mental well-being in daily life
- feel included and be heard
- live in a safe and age-friendly environment
How do we operate?
At the core of our work is development, supported by:
- training
- communication
- research
- advocacy
We develop effective models in collaboration with municipalities and organizations. We take a coaching and mentoring approach to ensure that best practices spread and become part of everyday life.
- Our training activities strengthen expertise and support the implementation of operating models at both the national and local levels.
- Our research is organization-driven and applied, which helps ensure the effectiveness of our development work.
- Through our advocacy work, we highlight research-based information and solutions that promote the functional capacity and participation of older adults.
Strategy 2023–2026
Mission
We develop inspiring solutions for healthy aging.
Vision
A society that recognizes the strengths of older adults and enables their participation.
We focus our work specifically on:
- professionals working with older adults
- volunteers
- family members
Our services are primarily aimed at older adults living at home who have functional limitations or are going through life transitions.
Examples of projects
We implement several projects that cover our core areas of expertise, such as:
- Older people on the move and Strength in old age.
- Together in the neighborhood (page in Finnish)
- Keys to a Good Everyday Life (page in Finnish)
- Safer Homes for Older People (page in Finnish)
Organization and Funding
- Age Institute employs 26 experts (as of 2026).
- Our operations are primarily funded by Funding Centre for Social Welfare and Health Organisations (STEA), and we also receive project funding from Ministries, among other sources.
- Our annual budget is approximately 1.9 million euros.
Board of Directors of the Age Institute Foundation
Four-year term: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2030
Chair Viveca Hagmark
Director Heidi Hagman
City of Helsinki
Senior Research Fellow Linda Enroth
Kasvun ja vanhenemisen tutkijat ry
Professor Kaijus Ervasti
Societas Gerontologica Fennica ry
Chief Operating Director Kira Exell-Paakki
Samfundet Folkhälsan i Svenska Finland rf
Research Director Katja Kokko
University of Jyväskylä
Leading Senior Researcher Minna-Liisa Luoma, Vice-chair
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
Assistant Professor Ilkka Pietilä
University of Helsinki
Executive Director Janne Pulkkinen
Suvanto ry (representing VALLI ry)
Contact Information
Ikäinstituutti
Jämsänkatu 2
00520 Helsinki
Phone: 040 350 3104
(Note: The office is closed in July)
E-mail: info@ikainstituutti.fi
Staff (page in Finnish)