Swedish political parties propose reforms for elderly care

Political parties in Sweden are presenting differing approaches to improving elderly care and the working conditions of its staff.

Vänsterpartiet emphasizes the need for a sustainable care system by increasing staffing levels, improving education, and eliminating minute-by-minute scheduling. The party proposes a pilot project for a six-hour workday with maintained salaries to make the profession more attractive and provide staff with better recovery time. They argue that tax revenue should prioritize welfare and personnel rather than profit-driven models.

Sverigedemokraterna focuses on dignity, autonomy, and personal integrity for the elderly. Their platform advocates for greater involvement of staff in organizing their own work and schedules, suggesting that increased trust in employees can better utilize existing expertise. They also propose streamlining administration and organization to ensure more municipal resources are directed toward direct care, while emphasizing the importance of social mealtime organization and respecting individual preferences during intimate care.