At least twelve elderly people died in connection with serious failures in home care services during 2024 in Sweden. In five of the cases, they called for help without anyone responding, according to an investigation of Lex Sarah cases.
The Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) closed 190 so-called Lex Sarah reports regarding failures in home care services during 2024. The investigation, conducted by publicly funded Swedish broadcaster SVT, identified twelve deaths where inadequate care played a role.
In five of the cases, it involved safety alarms that were either forgotten or handled incorrectly. One person called for help seven times before passing away. Another, who had suffered a stroke, had to wait over two hours for assistance. Several died alone.
An additional four care recipients died after being left without food, care, or both for extended periods.
— This must not happen and it says something about the staff's working conditions, says Lars Rahm at IVO to SVT.
Twelve deaths
In total, the investigation shows 43 cases where failures in alarm handling led to or risked leading to serious consequences. In several situations, alarms were forgotten when staff who had received them were occupied with other tasks.
Furthermore, SVT has also identified an additional twelve deaths where it cannot be ruled out that the outcome could have been different with different actions. In five of these cases, staff had left the location despite the care recipient not opening the door.
Rahm describes the results as very concerning and points out that the Lex Sarah reports likely only show a fraction of reality.
— This is a highly worrying outcome. IVO's other information, such as tips and complaints, suggests underreporting, he says.
