Comment: The life of an elderly person is cheap – and it's becoming costly for Finland
This article discusses the troubling incidents surrounding elderly care in Finland, highlighting a recent death in a hospital and several alarming cases in care facilities that raise serious concerns about the treatment of senior citizens.
The article reflects on the alarming state of elderly care in Finland, emphasizing a recent incident in which an elderly patient died at Vakka-Suomi Hospital. Preliminary investigations suggest deaths could be classified as manslaughter and neglect, indicating a severe lack of oversight in the care of elderly patients. This incident adds to the mounting criticism of Finland's healthcare system, especially concerning facilities that seem ill-equipped to handle the needs of long-term patients.
In Espoo, a distressing case involved an elderly resident at an Attendo care home who pressed an emergency button 11 times in one hour, but no help arrived because the caregivers' phones were turned off. This neglect mirrors other tragic events, such as the choking case of a resident tied to a chair in Turku and a mysterious death in Ivalo, where a resident was found deceased under another resident. These incidents highlight systemic issues in elderly caregiving, ranging from staff shortages to inadequate emergency response procedures.
The article calls attention to the broader implications of these cases, suggesting that the Finnish elderly care system is in crisis, with both caregivers and elderly people feeling overwhelmed. The ongoing neglect and mistreatment not only endanger vulnerable seniors but also reflect poorly on society's values and responsibilities toward its aging population. It emphasizes the urgent need for reforms to protect those in care, as current practices may lead to further tragedies if left unaddressed.