Maj-Lis, 89, had to wait weeks to shower: denied female help



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“You must not undress naked for an unknown man”

From: Sophie Tanha

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When Maj-Lis Blomberg, 89, in Sandviken takes a bath this week, the home care service cannot guarantee that a woman will help her.

This has meant weeks have passed without Maj-Lis being able to shower.

– You probably shouldn’t get naked for a man you don’t know, she says.

Maj-Lis Blomberg is 89 and used to taking care of herself, but lately she has been struggling with dizziness and has easily passed out. So now you need help at home in Sandviken to shower.

In general, you think the home care service works well. She has a female contact person with whom she is very happy, and who is usually the one who bathes her once a week.

– It’s when she can’t how someone else comes. When he’s away or free, says Maj-Lis Blomberg.

Two weeks between showers

When the contact person was replaced by a man, Maj-Lis first thought that someone else would come to help her with the shower.

– No, I will, said the man.

– Then it had to be, then it will be nothing, replied Maj-Lis.

Maj-Lis Blomgren would like to take a shower, but not with male help.

Photo: Jenny Lundberg / Arbetarbladet

Maj-Lis Blomgren would like to take a shower, but not with male help.

But instead of making Maj-Lis happy and letting an employee come help her, that week’s shower was simply canceled. Like the following week.

– It felt bad, when there are so many women employed, says Maj-Lis.

Maj-Lis really doesn’t think it’s all something to talk about:

– You should not undress naked for a man you do not know, it is obvious. It feels more natural with a woman.

The municipality does not differentiate between sexes

Sandviken Municipality’s policy is not to discriminate on the basis of gender or ethnicity. Therefore, a patient like Maj-Lis Blomberg cannot always choose who will come to help her.

Here’s what the township’s director of operations for the home care service, Ann-Louise Brolin, tells Arbetarbladet, who was the first to tell her about Maj-Lis.

– In general, home care staff cannot be chosen based, for example, on gender or ethnic origin. I know that companies are striving to meet different wants and to do the best they can for everyone who receives home care.

– If there are compelling reasons, individual evaluations can be made, but it can also mean that the person needs to go to a planned shower on another occasion, Ann-Louise Brolin tells the newspaper.

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