Widespread care failures in Yrjö ja Hanna nursing homes endangered elderly residents

A nationwide investigation by Finnish public broadcaster Yle has uncovered serious deficiencies in 11 of 12 nursing homes operated by Yrjö ja Hanna Hoiva, with failures in medication management, staffing levels, and basic resident care putting elderly health at risk.

Problems were documented in facilities across eight municipalities—Helsinki, Eura, Iitti, Rovaniemi, Turku, Tuusula, Hämeenlinna, and Akaa—where inspections revealed repeated violations including delayed or incorrect medication administration, unqualified staff dispensing drugs, and inadequate hygiene practices. Only the Onnela home in Kajaani had no recorded violations.

At the Päivärinne service house in Hämeenlinna, residents went without timely medications or received wrong doses, while unlicensed personnel handled drug distribution. Similar issues appeared in multiple locations: in Turku’s Pihlajakoti, an unlicensed student managed nighttime medication alone; in Iitti’s Ehtookoti, residents were overprescribed sedatives and antidepressants above national averages. Inspection records also showed understaffing—single workers covering overnight shifts across units, excessive overtime, and employees working on scheduled days off.

Basic care standards were neglected in several homes. Residents were left unbathed for extended periods, confined to beds without activities or outdoor access, and subjected to unjustified physical restraints—such as anti-fall harnesses or anti-undressing garments—applied for months without medical approval or documentation. In some cases, restraints were improperly used on residents in “communal living” units, contrary to regulations.

Food safety and medication storage violations were widespread. Drug cabinets were left unlocked, temperatures improperly maintained, and expired or waste medications mixed with active supplies. Staff prioritized administrative tasks over resident observations, and care plans were often outdated.

Yrjö ja Hanna Hoiva CEO Sari Laakso stated all identified issues have been addressed. The company, owned by the Yrjö ja Hanna Foundation and private individuals, operates 15 round-the-clock care units; two were previously shut down by authorities. Most violations spanned 2022–2026, though some persisted for years. Inspection records for three additional homes in Western Uusimaa were not provided before publication.