Dementia families express frustration over ten-month wait for guardianship in Sweden

Individuals with dementia and their families are expressing significant frustration over long waiting times faced while seeking guardianship. A person unable to care for themselves requires a guardian to authorize arrangements, such as moving into a care home, before any assistance can be provided.

Currently, the wait time at the public guardianship office has reached ten months, complicating efforts for municipalities to provide necessary support. Local leaders are emphasizing that such delays are unjust, especially for those familiar with the challenges posed by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Communities are left in a state of uncertainty regarding the available support during these waiting periods, and municipalities find it challenging to act effectively within legal boundaries. As a result, local authorities are compelled to develop improvised solutions, which, while functional, fail to meet the standard of care required.

One workaround may involve utilizing temporary spaces in dementia care homes that are normally reserved for short-term illness rather than allocating a permanent spot for individuals who desperately need it. This approach could lead to frequent relocations for dementia patients, which are less than ideal for their well-being.

Local leaders advocate for better allocation of resources to ensure appropriate care, asserting that assembling solutions from various regulations is not only inefficient but also more costly than providing the right services from the start.

While discussions are ongoing with the government to address lengthy processing times, the recent budget agreement for 2025 does not allocate additional funds for guardianship. Plans are underway to revise the guardianship law, which may lead to reduced processing durations, with proposals expected to be put forward after the new year.