At the Attendo Olarinpuisto care home in Espoo, a serious issue has been revealed where night-time alarms meant to alert caregivers about elderly residents' emergencies were not heard for more than a year. According to documents obtained by the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, it was found that the malfunction in the alert system stemmed from the night staff's inadequate registration when the new alert system was implemented last year. This failure to hear alarms raised questions about the management and operational protocols in place for ensuring the safety of residents, especially those with special needs like dementia.

The situation has drawn attention from the West Uusimaa welfare area authorities, who assessed that the safety of clients during nighttime hours was compromised for an extended period. This lapse in care raises significant concerns about the practices and accountability of both the care facility and the broader oversight mechanisms in place for elderly care in Finland. It brings to light the critical importance of having efficient communication systems in place in environments caring for vulnerable populations, especially during night hours when help is crucial.

Most alarmingly, the consequences of these shortcomings are highlighted by a tragic incident in January, when a dementia patient at the same care home passed away after attempting to summon help multiple times but received no assistance due to the warnings being missed. This event underscores the urgent need for reforms and stricter monitoring of nursing homes to prevent such tragedies in the future, ensuring that elderly residents receive the care and attention they rightfully deserve.