The building, erected in 1957, has been on the commune's radar for a long time. Rumelange's mayor blames political inaction for failing to set plans in motion: it's been two years since the last campaign, yet both politicians and Servior did not deem the renovation a priority. Now the current conditions bring into stark relief the danger of outdated and inadequate infrastructure, as both residents and staff's lives are put at a higher risk.
Brigitte Falkenstein, who used to work in the care home and whose father is a resident there, did not have any accusation to make against the staff. Rather, the Servior building in itself was simply not up-to-date.
As rooms are not equipped with a toilet, shower or bathroom, residents have to use communal ones. The fact that some residents are unable to walk and require staff support also leads to challenges as social distancing is virtually impossible. In other words, both personnel and seniors are at a greater risk.
In the face of what is now a 20-year-old issue, Rumelange's mayor Henri Haine lamented. Haine said that local government had done their part, and that a lack of political resolve was to blame.
Legal difficulties with the buildings architect were apparently to blame, to which Haine responded that those issues had been settled in 2015. Now it seems the problem is in fact between the architect and Servior. Either way, Haine says that 5 years is too long a time to come to an agreement, and that the matter should have been dealt with by now, for the good of those that needed it most.
CSV posed a parliamentary question on the topic on Saturday. The government is yet to comment.
