The person was found dead in his home on January 26, and then the home care staff had not had contact with their client for nine days, even though they had been in his home.
According to the home service, it was discovered that the person was dead during the fourth visit.
“Wanted to be alone”
As an explanation for the person lying dead for a long time without the staff reacting, Pajala municipality writes in its Lex Sarah report that “she used to want to be left alone and often lay in the bedroom with the door locked”.
The home care staff must have reacted to the fact that food items from the previous week’s purchases were still in the fridge as well as several unopened food boxes.
“Staff called the relative who, with the help of the police, opened the door to the bedroom. Relatives informed that she did not pass away recently,” Pajala municipality writes in its report.
There must be physical contact
The person had interventions three times a week and received help with food distribution and purchases as well as accompaniment to care facilities.
As a proposal for measures to prevent similar incidents from happening again, Pajala municipality proposes that routines should be created around physical contact during home care visits. There must also be information sheets when you receive home care services that describe the routine for absence.