Conditions at Danish nursing homes are worsening – and the trend looks set to continue

Residents report being left waiting on the toilet for up to an hour

Kirsten Pedersen

Being left on the toilet for up to an hour after being taken there by staff is apparently becoming the new norm at nursing homes for the elderly across Denmark.

In Vejle and Maribo
Or at least this was the case for 70 year-old Kirsten Topaz, a resident at Rosengården nursing home in Vejle, who shared her story with TV2 News this week.

“Staff will come when they are free. But often you have to wait a rather long time,” said Topaz.

“Following a toilet visit you need help changing nappies and putting your clothes back on – and it can take anywhere from half an hour to an hour. It’s not very satisfying.”

Her story was echoed by 92-year-old Svend, a resident at the nursing home Margretecentret in Maribo, Lolland.

Svend reported he was even told he was only allowed to go to the toilet at certain scheduled times during the day.

Bleak picture
This incident follows a flood of other recent incidents, reports TV2 News, in which residents are seemingly being neglected.

Stories like these are becoming increasingly common with both patients and staff voicing their displeasure and concern about the future levels of care.

Staff-cuts at various nursing homes scheduled for 2016 paint a bleak picture for the future of eldercare in Denmark.

Some 32 out of 56 municipalities asked have indicated they will have fewer staff in 2016 compared to 2014 and 2015.

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