Finnish care home under police investigation after opioid medication diluted with water

Police in Häme have launched a preliminary inquiry into serious neglect allegations at Päivärinne service housing in Hämeenlinna, following a criminal report filed after a Yle investigation revealed systemic failures in medication management and elderly care.

The report, published in late May, documented cases where opioid painkillers were diluted with water, emergency calls went unanswered, and residents in palliative care were left without proper support. Kanta-Häme’s wellbeing services authority had placed the facility under enhanced supervision in March after repeated violations, but internal documents reviewed by Yle show problems persisted for years despite multiple inspections between 2022 and 2026.

Two employees told Yle that supervisors explicitly prohibited staff from reporting misconduct to regulators. In a video statement, Päivärinne’s managing director Sari Laakso—appointed in 2023—apologized to caregivers who felt silenced, insisting recent months had brought corrective measures. These include updated medication certifications for staff, daily activities for residents, and verified language proficiency for migrant workers.

Lead investigator Marko Mäkinen confirmed the case remains in the preliminary phase, with no decisions yet on formal charges or potential suspects. The inquiry may conclude without further action.

Päivärinne is operated by Yrjö ja Hanna Hoiva, which also oversees Elämäntaival, a Riihimäki care home under separate police investigation for suspected drug offenses and theft after its own regulatory breaches.