Care worker warns Finland’s elderly care crisis has returned

A Finnish care worker who exposed a national elderly care crisis nearly a decade ago says conditions have deteriorated to at least the same level, according to public broadcaster Yle.

Tarja Parkatti, a practical nurse from Karijoki, first revealed systemic failures in nursing homes in late 2018. Now, she reports receiving daily messages from relatives, staff, and doctors across Finland detailing ongoing neglect and understaffing.

“Contacts have been coming all along, but now they’re accelerating—sometimes daily,” Parkatti said. Relatives feel ignored, while staff fear speaking out over job security.

After the 2018 scandal, Finland raised staffing ratios, requiring at least seven carers per ten nursing home residents. Since then, the ratio has been reduced. Parkatti says the impact is clear: “Workloads haven’t decreased. Carers don’t have enough time for residents. There’s no stimulation, no outings. Residents are put to bed as early as 5 or 6 p.m.”

In home care, she adds, workers must now visit more elderly clients in the same time, sometimes without breaks for meals.

Parkatti’s own mother, who has dementia, has been in institutional care for three years. While her father visits daily, Parkatti remains critical of the care. She filed a police report after suspecting staff had forcibly tried to insert dentures into her mother’s mouth, causing bruising. “Pain and suffering were inflicted on my speechless mother. That felt really bad.”

Tanja Penninkangas, social services director for the South Ostrobothnia well-being region, said authorities investigate all complaints. “If neglect has occurred, we correct the process to prevent recurrence.”