The pandemic has highlighted structural shortcomings in the care of the elderly and the quality difference is large between the municipalities, according to the government’s special investigator, who is now presenting a bill to strengthen care for the elderly.
The inquiry, whose final report will be submitted to Minister of Social Affairs Lena Hallengren (S) on Tuesday, proposes a special law on elderly care to “strengthen the preventive perspective and a health-promoting, function-supporting and accessible focus”.
“Together, these are expected to contribute to older people having more years of health and independence,” writes Olivia Wigzell, special investigator and director general of the National Board of Health and Welfare, and Louise Andersson, general secretary, on Dagens Nyheter’s debate page.
According to the proposal, a permanent care contact for elderly people in special housing will contribute to security. Higher demands must be placed on participation and influence in planning, and that there must be sufficient staff with the right skills.
The region’s responsibility for providing doctors to patients with municipal health care must be clearer and, if necessary, it must be possible to obtain a doctor’s assessment around the clock. It is also proposed that patients with municipal primary care should have both a permanent care contact and a permanent doctor contact.