Municipality changes regulations to allow elderly couples to live together in nursing homes after father’s fight for care

– We had a good father. We always knew he loved us.

For Siv Eikemo, Sverre has always been a caring father.

In recent years, he has been the one who has needed the most care. In the Brennpunkt documentary “Care behind closed doors” we followed Sverre’s fight for a place in a nursing home and more time with his wife, Johanna.

He got the place in the end. Recently, they both lived at Vea nursing home in Karmøy municipality.

When NRK met him just before Easter, Sverre said that he was doing well. The family is also grateful for the care and attention he received in what was the last phase of his life.

On Tuesday morning, he fell asleep quietly.

– He has never been a man of big words. But I think Dad bragged more in the last 15 months than he did in his entire life. He talked about how good he was, says Eikemo.

The municipal board changed the regulations

Eikemo hopes and believes that Sverre’s story can help others struggling in old age. She says that it was recently decided in the municipal council in Karmøy that it will be easier for the elderly to live together.

Mayor Jarle Nilsen (Ap) confirms this.

– Where there are married couples who need a place, we will do what we can to ensure that they get a place in the same nursing home. They can also share a room if the conditions are right for it. We are now planning for that as best we can, says Nilsen.

It is not completely new.

There is already one warranty in Norway where it says that older people should decide for themselves about their own lives and have a dignified old age. The guarantee also states that couples who wish to do so must could live together.

In Sverre and Johanna’s case, however, it took a long time.

In 2020, Sverre applied for the first time to live with Johanna in a nursing home. Only in March 2022, after several rejections, did he get a place. The State Administrator had then entered the case, and assessed that Sverre’s health and wishes required that he should be allowed to live in a nursing home with his wife.

Now the municipal council in Karmøy has made adjustments to the regulations, so that the threshold for living with a spouse will be lower in the municipality than it was before.

– We have adopted a more appropriate and open regulation, which can mean something to those concerned, says municipal council member Jan Birger Medhaug (Karmøylista).

– It is quite clear that it had to do with Sverre and Johanna. They got this on the agenda, he continues.

A worthy end

Today, Siv Eikemo feels gratitude. She is grateful to her father, the nursing home and politicians who have stood up for Sverre’s cause.

– Elderly care has long been pushed into the background. Now dad chose to bring it up himself. I am grateful that it was taken seriously, says Eikemo.

The gratitude also goes the other way. In recent months, the family has been contacted by many people who are affected by Sverre’s story.

A few weeks ago at the latest, he received a letter at the nursing home. It came from a woman in Barcelona, ​​who had seen the program and been reminded of her own father.

– It was positive for him to be involved. He could tell his story, and he could be heard, says the daughter.

Recently, the family has been sitting by Sverre’s bed. They have read to him, played songs and had nice moments together. They have had time to say goodbye.

– I have learned that time is of the essence. Counting minutes is so wrong. These are things we must continue to address, says Eikemo.