MP seeks debate on medication use in nursing homes

Progressive Party MP Halla Hrund Logadóttir has requested a special debate in parliament with the health minister on medication use in nursing homes and Iceland’s approach to caring for older people, mbl.is reports.

In a Facebook post, Logadóttir said the latest episode of the television programme Kveikur was still on her mind. The programme examined medication use in nursing homes and interviewed relatives of people who had been given psychiatric drugs. The relatives criticised how the medication was administered.

Logadóttir said many people do invaluable work in nursing homes, often in demanding and underappreciated roles and in good cooperation with residents’ families. Even so, she said she was concerned about the overall picture.

“I worry that we are approaching ageing in the wrong way and have forgotten to care for one another in a humane way in the rush of society,” she wrote.