According to Västerås stad, the Elderly Committee decided in December 2025 that digital purchases should become the main alternative for people applying for the assistance service purchases. The implementation was planned for May 1, 2026, but it is now being postponed. The reason for the postponement is that there are still questions that need to be investigated.
Residents have contacted with opinions and concerns about how the service will work in practice. The administration also needs to ensure technology, equipment, and training for employees. The specific questions or issues that need to be investigated before implementing digital purchases have not been detailed.
The Elderly Committee has tasked the administration to return in the autumn of 2026 with a deepened risk and consequence analysis for the implementation of digital purchases. The analysis will include how the distribution of meal boxes is intended to work and a new timeline for the project. The new timeline for implementing digital purchases after the postponement has not been announced.
The administration will also investigate the possibility of offering tablets to affected customers and develop guidelines for digital supervision visits. The committee will in April take a position on a revision of current guidelines because the implementation will not occur on May 1, 2026.