Police called to care home after visitor dispute over gym access

A dispute at a care home in Riihimäki, Finland, escalated to the point where police were called to remove a visitor, Miia Tihula, who was visiting her elderly mother. Tihula claims the incident, which occurred in late July, was a misunderstanding and that she was wrongly accused of aggressive behavior.

Tihula intended to use the care home's gym with her mother, a routine they had previously followed. However, they were informed that gym access was now restricted and required a staff member's presence. When Tihula sought to clarify this with the unit manager, she found the office door closed. According to Tihula, she knocked firmly on the glass door while speaking to her mother, but received no response.

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We were shocked, my mother and I, thinking what kind of attack this is. The police said that the approach had not gone normally. I replied that I had only knocked on the door.

Following a period of waiting and unsuccessful attempts to contact the manager via email, Tihula returned to her mother's room. Shortly after, two police officers, the unit manager, and three caregivers arrived. Tihula recounts being shocked, especially as she is her mother's only relative. The police stated that her approach was not normal, while the manager allegedly told them Tihula had been shouting and banging on the door, even threatening her with restricted visiting rights.

Tihula vehemently denies these allegations, asserting she did not shout or bang on the door. She believes the manager's claims are baseless and has filed a criminal complaint for defamation. The care home's management, through a representative from the Kanta-Häme welfare area, confirmed a disturbance occurred and police were called to ensure safety, but declined to comment further due to client confidentiality. Tihula has requested a review of camera footage to verify her account.

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He then told me that he was threatening me with a restriction of meeting rights.