Elderly patients hospitalized in Iceland due to nursing home shortages

Nearly one hundred elderly patients are currently hospitalized in Iceland due to a lack of available spaces in nursing homes. One family member expressed that the lengthy waiting process has been detrimental, describing the situation as neglect by the authorities.

Iris Rutar Jakobsdóttir’s mother was admitted to a hospital several years ago due to health issues. The family hoped she would soon transition to a nursing home, but that has not materialized. Instead, she has spent nearly a year moving between various temporary facilities.

Currently, 86 patients are waiting for nursing home accommodation at the Landspítali hospital, with an additional 10 at the Akureyri Hospital. This accounts for about 20% of the patients in each location, a figure that hospital administrators deem unacceptable.

The situation raises concerns about the standards of elderly care in the country, highlighting the pressing need for improved long-term care solutions. Families continue to worry about the psychological and physical toll on their loved ones who cannot find suitable living arrangements.