Chancellor reminded the care homes that the freedom of movement of a person receiving the 24-hour special care service under a court ruling may only be restricted for a brief period by placement in a seclusion room compatible with the requirements, and also explained once again the requirements for documentation. In care homes providing the special care service, patients are sometimes given medication not mentioned in the treatment scheme prescribed by a doctor. The Chancellor’s advisers have also found in care homes medication of patients who had already left the care home, or medication left over due to a change in the treatment scheme, even though such medication should have been properly destroyed. The Chancellor explained to the care homes that strict rules for handling medication have to be complied with. Care homes must also ensure nursing care to the extent required by law, and activities carried out while providing nursing care must be properly documented. To end on a positive note: observations made during inspection visits allow for the conclusion that special care institutions increasingly think how care home residents could spend their time meaningfully and so that it is contributing to their development. More opportunities for activities are offered (such as hobby groups, plots for gardening, work-related activities), as well as enabling residents to actively participate in community life. Care homes should make even more effort to involve people in dynamic activities and activities contributing to development of work skills, which would help residents spend time by engaging in their preferred activities. The inspection visit to Tallinn Children’s Home is covered in the chapter “Children and young people”.

Select target paragraph3