The government is investing 48.5 million in the FINGER model – a historic opportunity for Swedish mental health

The Swedish government has decided to allocate SEK 48.5 million for the initiation, development, and dissemination of the evidence-based FINGER model in Sweden.
The assignment has been given to the National Board of Health and Welfare and marks an important step toward more structured and preventive dementia care nationwide.

This is a clear recognition that preventive work in brain health is now a priority social issue.

What is the FINGER model?

FINGER (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) is the world's first large-scale randomized controlled trial to show that a multidomain intervention can slow cognitive decline in people at increased risk.

The model was developed by researchers at the FINGER Brain Health Institute and is based on structured interventions in:

- Physical activity
- Diet
- Cognitive training
- Social stimulation
- Optimisation of cardiovascular risk factors

The study showed that participants who followed the program had significantly better cognitive development compared to the control group.

What does the government's decision mean?

The initiative aims to:

- Initiate national implementation
- Develop adaptations to Swedish conditions
- Disseminate the model to municipalities and regions
- Create structures for preventive brain health work

This means that prevention is now moving from the research level to the system level.

An opportunity for municipalities and regions

For municipalities and regions, this presents a unique opportunity to:

- Work more systematically with risk reduction
- Reduce future healthcare and care costs
- Create structured follow-up of cognitive function
- Integrate lifestyle interventions into existing care flows

However, the challenge is clear:
FINGER is a model – but it requires structure, follow-up, and measurability to work in practice.

Our role in implementation

For several years, we have been working on digital structures for:

- Cognitive screening
- Risk profiling
- Longitudinal follow-up
- Individualized brain health plans

We see the government's initiative as an important step toward more data-driven and structured preventive dementia care, where digital monitoring and systematic approaches are crucial to achieving real results.

Implementing the FINGER model requires:

- Identification of the right target groups
- Baseline measurement of cognitive function
- Structured follow-up over time
- Coordination between levels of care

This is where digital infrastructure becomes central.

Next step

We welcome the government's initiative and also welcome dialogue with municipalities, regions, and healthcare providers who want to:

- Discuss how FINGER can be implemented locally
- Build structured follow-up
- Create preventive brain health programs
- Prepare the organization for the dementia care of the future

The government's decision creates the conditions.
We help healthcare providers to effectively put this into practice.

Would you like to know more?

Do you have any questions or concerns about ongoing projects, or perhaps an idea you would like to discuss with us?

Please contact us at 📩 info@gerassolutions.se

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