Jan-Olof's father is allowed to go to rest in the living room: "It's not wise"

By law, there must be at least 80 centimeters of space at the toilet for staff when helping a user to fulfill their needs.

During an inspection of the elderly housing two years ago, the Swedish Work Environment Authority found that the space in several of the rooms' toilets in the accommodation is too narrow for the staff to be able to carry out their work in accordance with the Work Environment Act. Therefore, the Swedish Work Environment Authority demanded that they rectify the work situation, and on Sunday a penalty of SEK 2 million began to apply.

Since then, the accommodation has used mobile toilets to avoid the work situation adjacent to the regular toilet. According to Jan-Olof Göransson, this has meant that his father has had to do his needs in the living room.

- That pot was in the living room when I entered the room. I was just thinking - should it be like this in Sweden in the 21st century? Will my dad sit in the living room and do his needs? It's so humiliating, not wise! You can imagine how it smells, says Jan-Olof Göransson.

The background to the Work Environment Authority's criticism is that too little work space can pose a danger to the staff.

- They must have 80 centimeters of space to avoid injury. When there is too much work space, the staff may suffer strain injuries. They can have an acute work injury, or one in the longer term, says Pia Johansson, administrator at the Swedish Work Environment Authority.

Following the Swedish Work Environment Authority's criticism, the accommodation of 23 of the users moved to another place. For the 19 who remain, the situation looks different, depending on their need.

Marina Hasselgren, Head of Operations for Elderly Care in Orust Municipality, confirms the situation with the mobile toilets. But she explains that all toilets can be moved and run into the toilet, where the users can do their needs in peace.

- It may not be the most desirable solution. But it is an adaptation to the situation, she says.

But we have talked to a person who says that his dad does his needs in the living room.

- I can't say that or ask for it. I can't swear it's been right in all situations, but it is possible to roll in all the mobile toilets in the toilet, and that is how it should go, she says.

Now the accommodation will be rebuilt so that the dimensions are in accordance with the law. The rebuilding will begin in November and will probably last for nine months, according to Marina Hasselgren.

- I wish it wasn't like this. But that's how long it takes for a rebuild, says Marina Hasselgren.