Suggested Letter of Complaint

February 25, 2015 Mandi

To whom it may concern,

I would like to raise the case of Ida Johansson who is suffering physical, mental and emotional elder abuse at the nursing home in Levinsgården, Gaddede, Sweden.

I am an objective observer and I must speak out because what is happening to this woman is illegal and violates her (and the other resident’s) human rights.

Ida Johansson, 92 years old, suffered a stroke in June 2012. Her husband and daughter denied her post-stroke rehabilitation. She was transferred to the Levinsgården nursing home in Gäddede, the village she lived in where she is now abused as follows:

• Ida is refused stroke rehabilitation treatment.

• Patients are forced to spend most of their time in bed. Bed rest is contra to recommended stroke rehabilitation. They have no physical or mental stimulation; the dark rooms they stay in bring on depression and feelings of loneliness.

• Doors are often locked and there have been instances where residents have been physically restrained.

• Patients are left to urinate and defecate on themselves in bed. They are often unassisted despite calling for help and left to lie in it for hours at a time.

• Ida is forced to stay in bed all day and night, which is causing her physical pain.

• Ida and the other residents are strongly medicated, to the point of senselessness. The medication is often not recorded because doses exceed what any medical journal deems as appropriate.

• Since September 2014, Ida has been given 7.5mg of Imovane daily. Imovane (a sleeping tablet) can be highly addictive. It is also potentially lethal for a stroke victim who suffers from sleep apnea. Ida’s communication has become increasingly incomprehensible as the dosage of Imovane she is being given has increased.

• Ida Johansson’s general health is not being maintained. For example, She has untreated skin and toenail infections.

• Ida’s oral health is not being maintained. She has lost teeth, has dental pain and now finds eating difficult. The risk of developing an infection which could be life threatening for a 92 year old is one which must be taken seriously.

• Ida’s pain is such that she cries and screams.

• Staff do not converse normally or socially with Ida or any of the residents. They ignore Ida and the other patients. They talk over top of them, as one might talk about an animal or an object. Staff show no respect to their residents.

• Ida is treated as though she has no mental capacity; her expressions of like or dislike, assent or objection, fear or happiness are disregarded.

What is taking place at Levinsgården breaks both Swedish and EU law, and violates the basic human rights of its residents.

Ida is being supported by her son, Calle, who has been trying to advocate on her behalf since her stroke. However, the village has ostracized him for challenging the practices at the nursing home.

Calle has been working for two years to alert the authorities to his concerns about the way in which Levinsgården is treating residents. He has not yet had a satisfactory response to his concerns.

Nobody should require protection from those who claim to provide care, be they health care professionals, ‘good man’ or family.

On behalf of Ida Johansson and the other suffering residents of Levinsgården, please take action and see that this abuse is put to an end.

Yours sincerely,