Couple in their nineties 'too healthy' for nursing home

Published: 2 Nov 09 15:47 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23024/20091102/

A 99-year-old Swedish woman and her 97-year-old husband have been denied a place at a local living facility for the elderly.

Top researcher 'too old' to work in Sweden (22 Sep 09)
Sweden moves closer to nursing homes for gays (7 Jul 09)
Nursing home residents taking too many drugs: report (19 Mar 09)

According to officials with Mjölby municipality in south central Sweden and the county administrative court, the couple are too healthy to move into the facility, Sveriges Radio (SR) reports.

But family members dispute the assessment, arguing the couple’s health has been deteriorating over the past few years.

The woman has been plagued with hip problems, while her husband has trouble keeping his balance.

Relatives have argued that the couple should be allowed to stay in a living facility for the elderly which offers more secure living conditions.

The pair currently live in a detached home where they are offered cleaning assistance every two weeks.

The municipality and the court have concluded that additional home assistance services, as well as access to an emergency alarm system, are sufficient measures to ensure the couple’s well-being.

The chair of Mjölby’s social services board, Sven-Åke Persson, said that the couple would qualify for a place in a living facility for the elderly, but that no places are currently available.

“If we had space in an assisted living facility, we’d offer it to them right away, without any doubts whatsoever. As things stand, we didn’t think the need was so great, and the county administrative court agreed with us, so to speak,” he told SR.

He added that he thinks the municipality’s offer of additional services nevertheless fulfils Mjölby’s promise that “all citizens should have the support they need to live their daily lives”.

TT/David Landes (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Fark It!	Digg This	Share everywhere
Send to a friend	Printable version	Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

23:58 November 2, 2009 by kenny8076

Well sweden doesnt have enough housing for young people, i guess i wouldnt

assume they had enough for old people either. What a third world feeling i get about the housing topic in sweden

Report abuse »

08:58 November 3, 2009 by square

Nice problem to have at 99

Report abuse »

09:11 November 3, 2009 by Åskar

When will people learn that the term "äldreboende" is NOT about living in a nursing home. It's a euphemism for what was earlier called "långtidssjukvård", terminal hospital care for the extremely elderly and ill people with absolutely no way of taking care of themselves. If this couple have been able to manage on their home (with assistance) they are much too healthy for this kind of care.

Report abuse »

13:14 November 3, 2009 by Random Guy

Pretty sweet problem to have at that age.

Report abuse »

20:55 November 4, 2009 by wxman

Good for them! In a socialist society, all care is naturally going to be rationed. Better to be healthy enough not to be require care by the state than to be able to collect on years of tax contributions. It's a good news/bad news situation.

Report abuse »

11:30 November 8, 2009 by Beynch

The troubling aspect of this is that a 'Municipal Administrative Court' makes health care decisions. What in the world do they know? What about medical professionals and the family? - Aaaaahh, visions of Obamacare!

Report abuse »

Today's headlines

'Vodka-mobile' selling booze to Swedish kids

Police in Stockholm are looking to beef up efforts to put the brakes on a “vodka-mobile” that delivers hard liquor to school children in the Swedish capital who place their orders via text message. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

'THE OFFICE' GOES SWEDISH

Swedish comedian Henrik Dorsin claims he has the head of a Bond villain

‘Sweden is the most PC country in the world’

Two days before the premiere of ‘Kontoret’, the Swedish version of The Office, The Local's Oliver Gee chats with the cast about why Sweden needs its own version of a show that's already proved to be a winning concept worldwide. READ (9 COMMENTS) »

Sweden to cut dropout rate by shortening school

The government is hoping to reduce the number of Swedish high school dropouts by offering a shorter course of study for students who "lack the prerequisites" to finish high school, angering opposition politicians. READ (16 COMMENTS) »

SWEDISH HONEYMOONER SLAYING

Court delays Swedish bride murder trial

A court in South Africa has postponed further the trial of two men accused of killing Swedish honeymooner Anni Dewani in Novermber 2010 as prosecutors await the extradition of her husband from the UK. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

SWEDES JAILED IN ETHIOPIA

Reinfeldt 'hopeful' of Ethiopia pardon

Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt harbours hope that the two Swedish reporters jailed for terror crimes in Ethiopia will be pardoned by the regime. READ »

MALMÖ GUN VIOLENCE

Four arrested for Malmö gang slaying

Four men have been arrested for the “execution style” killing of a 19-year-old man in Malmö in August 2011 in what police believe was a settling of scores among criminal gangs. READ (27 COMMENTS) »

Rape accusations stun Swedish high school

An employee at a high school near Uppsala, in eastern Sweden, has been detained by police on suspicion of rape and sexual harassment of several students, much to the shock of his colleagues. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Agency to probe doc who broke baby’s neck

A doctor in central Sweden who broke the neck of an infant during a 55 hour long delivery, is being investigated by the National Board of Health and Welfare. READ (14 COMMENTS) »

More Society

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »

Click here to get more from Follow Sweden

News from the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Today's most read Today's most commented

More popular articles »

Blog Update: 110% LAGOM

10 February 10:47

Reefer Madness »

"Remember how your kids used to dance around the room to The Gummy Bears and Astid Lindgren? And now, since they started gymnasium, they listen to guitar or electronic music, or reggae, or hip hop, or Sean Banan?? That's not proper music! They are clearly junkies!" READ »