Police to remain involved in elderly fall cases

The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has reversed its earlier position and will not withdraw from handling cases of elderly people who have fallen. An analysis commissioned by the Social Affairs Ministry recommends improving the existing system rather than redistributing responsibilities between agencies.

The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has abandoned its earlier plan to hand over the handling of elderly fall cases to other institutions. In May, the PPA announced that from autumn, assistance for elderly people who fall at home should become another agency's responsibility, but the authority has now adopted a cautious stance.

An analysis commissioned by the Social Affairs Ministry shows that the solution to the current situation is not to redistribute tasks, but to improve the existing system. Based on the analysis, it is more reasonable to find ways to make current work procedures more efficient rather than shifting responsibility from one institution to another.

Fall cases are among the most frequent challenges facing Estonian police, requiring resources and time, and are generally considered a social problem rather than a police matter. Nevertheless, police have often been the first to respond to elderly people in need of help, as they have the fastest readiness within 24 hours.

Currently, the situation remains open and various parties are seeking a solution as to who should and how should handle such cases in the future. The PPA's cautious position means that in the near term, existing practice will continue until a working alternative is found or opportunities to improve the system are identified.