Documentary and survey expose challenges in eldercare staffing

Denmark Norway

A documentary on Norwegian TV and a survey by the FOA trade union in Denmark expose similar problems facing workers in eldercare as they have too many clients, leaving those requiring care regularly seeing lots of different carers for short periods of time. Reacting to the documentary the Fagforbundet trade union highlighted the problem of so many care staff working part-time, chasing shifts to try to make ends meet and being part of a continuing turnover of staff so that there is little continuity for those needing care. In Denmark, the FOA argues that staff spend too little time with those in their care and it has already put forward proposals that carers need to be able to work in autonomous teams and ensure that they can build a proper relationship with those in their care.

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