It was supposed to be that the person would receive visits from home care at least once a week, but that didn’t happen. It wasn’t until the person was found dead in their home that the mistake was discovered. Staff shortage is being blamed.

In mid-July, the resident of Malmö received the last recorded visit from home care. Two months later, the person was found dead.

The person should have received visits at least once a week for help with tasks such as cleaning and laundry.

According to Birgitta Wallin, unit manager within home care in Malmö, they have had a shortage of staff, and as a result, the existing routines have not been followed.

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The department has about 20 caregivers who take care of around 170 care recipients. Visits that are not urgent can be postponed, but this should be done in consultation with the person concerned.

The question is how a person can be missed for two months.

“It’s a serious matter to look into further. Our users are out and about. Sometimes when we knock on the door, no one is home. Then there is also a routine that should be followed. So, as I said, there are several aspects to this that we need to look at to prevent it from happening again,” Wallin told Sydsvenskan.

Reported to Ivo

According to Wallin, they are investigating the case and interviewing staff, some of whom have been temporary replacements.

“What we have seen is that there are deficiencies in communication and reporting among the staff,” says Birgitta Wallin.

Staff in the team responsible for the person in question have thought that the care recipient has received help or that visits have been postponed in consultation with the person.

The incident has been reported to the Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO).

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