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Swedish nursing homes are shaking from a possible flood of relatives if the national restraining order is lifted on October 1. – There is concern that there will be many visits on the same day the visitation ban ends, says Greger Bengtsson, senior care coordinator at SKR.
The national restraining order applies until the end of September. Stock Photography.
The national ban on visiting homes for the elderly runs until the end of September, and what will happen next is still unknown. If the government decides not to extend it, the Swedish Municipalities and Regions (SKR) employers’ organization wants to see clear government guidelines on how elderly care should handle such a transition.
– It can easily become a chaotic situation. You haven’t been able to meet your mother or grandmother for a long time and many come and have a great coffee party, but is it that good? says Greger Bengtsson.
The government has tasked the Swedish Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare to comment on whether the curfew can end and, if so, to come up with proposals for measures that can replace it.
SKR, which is in dialogue with municipalities, wants to see that it will be possible to make decisions on local restraining orders in the event of a covid-19 outbreak, and have the opportunity to isolate people with dementia infected by the corona.
– At the moment, I don’t think there is any municipality where a restraining order is needed, says Bengtsson.
Although SKR considers it reasonable to withdraw the restraining order on October 1, the organization and the representatives of the municipalities consider that the measure was important.
– The picture has been consistent that curfew has been very good at reducing and curing infection in nursing homes, says Greger Bengtsson.
Visits ban
The national restraining order on nursing homes is in effect from April 1 and runs until the end of September.
The government has tasked the Swedish Public Health Agency and the National Health and Welfare Council with investigating whether it is possible to replace the restraining order with other measures from October. Results must be submitted no later than September 15.
The ban is widespread. The person responsible for the home may in each particular case grant an exemption from the prohibition if there are special circumstances that justify an exemption and if the risk of spreading the coronavirus is small.
Source: Government
