Less help for elderly patients

Employees of nursing homes say they have less time to care than two years ago

Healthcare professionals say that older residents at nursing homes are receiving less care than just a few years ago and say it is time for a showdown on elderly care.

Ole Mørk Nielsen, the head of the country’s approximately 1,000 nursing home mangers, cited a recent study by union FOA that reveals how nearly 60 percent of employees have less time to talk to residents, 40 percent have less time to care for terminal patients and 30 percent have less time to help residents with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks.

“The experiences of our employees is quite real,” Nielsen told Jyllands-Posten.

No time for even the basics
Healthcare workers say they don’t even have time for some of their basic care duties.

“While there used to be between 1.1 and 1.3 employees for every nursing home resident, we estimate there is now an average of only 0.7,” said Nielsen. “Those reductions come at the cost of quality care.”

READ MORE: New figures reveal less care for the elderly

Nielsen said it is time for a national debate about care for the elderly.

“Employees paint a picture of a life at nursing homes where there is no time to provide care with dignity and ethics,” said Karen Stæhr, the chairperson of the social and health sector in FOA. “This is not satisfactory.”

Reserving judgement
Sophie Løhde, the minister for health and the elderly, said she would wait to make a decision on nursing homecare until she has seen the results of a larger nationwide study ordered by Parliament.




  • Ryanair cancels all flights to and from Billund 

    Ryanair cancels all flights to and from Billund 

    Ryanair has increased its cuts from the Billund-Aalborg route to encompass its entire operation to and from Billund Airport. The airline’s scarce communication is leaving both the airport and passengers scrambling for answers.

  • What do Danes do for “Vinterferie”?

    What do Danes do for “Vinterferie”?

    As tradition has it, many Danes take a week off for Vinterferie next week. Or the week after. It’s a bit confusing, especially since Christmas and New Year’s Holiday are not far away. What’s going on?

  • The educational options for internationals in Denmark

    The educational options for internationals in Denmark

    Denmark offers free public education, but private schools and universities for non-EU students require tuition. Language is a barrier, with international schools available for children and limited English-taught university programs. In 2024, Denmark expanded university seats for internationals and introduced an HF-international program in Aarhus.

  • Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF program for internationals

    Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF program for internationals

    Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF-international program in August, offering young adult internationals an alternative to IB programs with a focus on career-oriented education and Danish language learning. Unlike IB, it reduces academic pressure while providing access to vocational schools and professional bachelor’s degrees

  • Top Danish companies report strong financial performance

    Top Danish companies report strong financial performance

    Some of Denmark’s leading companies reported solid financial results for 2024, with Lundbeck, Demant, and Vestas seeing growth, while Pandora tackled rising production costs with price increases and cost-saving measures.

  • Greenland restricts foreign property purchases and election donations

    Greenland restricts foreign property purchases and election donations

    These days, the Greenlandic institutions are approving two new norms to restrict, reduce, or ban the possibility for foreign citizens to buy real estate on the island, as well as for political parties to receive large amounts of money from foreign donors.