Elderly care services reduced in Slagelse as municipalities face budget cuts in Denmark

In a home in Slagelse, a robotic vacuum glides around as Kurt Nissen manages his daily life. Previously, he received support from home care services every two weeks, but this has now reduced to once every three weeks, leaving some tasks, like vacuuming, unaddressed. This is a concern for Nissen, who suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is sensitive to dust in his environment.

The reduction in elderly care services is not limited to Slagelse; many municipalities are undergoing budget cuts in this sector following the last local elections. A recent survey shows that nearly half of voters consider elder care a top priority for local politicians. As the population ages, more individuals are seeking support from their municipalities.

Kurt Houlberg, a researcher at VIVE, a welfare research institute, notes that as the elderly population continues to grow, the demand for care will increase, but there may not be enough available staff to meet this demand. Projections indicate a 50% rise in the number of Danes over 80 in the next decade, highlighting the urgency for more support.

Despite municipalities allocating approximately 56 billion kroner to elder care annually, many citizens feel they are receiving less assistance. Houlberg suggests that future elder care may increasingly rely on technology, like robotic vacuum cleaners and laundry robots, to supplement human care.

Anders Winnerskjold, chairman of the Health and Elderly Committee, acknowledges the importance of improving elder care services and emphasizes the need for more trained professionals in the field. He believes that although care in Denmark is generally good, there remains room for enhancement, and collaborative efforts will be necessary to address these challenges effectively.