Alloheim Bramsche: A record number of checks in nursing homes

On June 1st, early on Sunday morning, the Alloheim senior citizens’ residence in Bramsche made headlines: The German Red Cross (DRK) had to arrive in the Lower Saxony province. Because the nursing home of one of Germany’s largest operators suddenly no longer had enough staff on site that day to care for the 89 residents. Now research shows star and RTL: Some of the problems that became public at the time were apparently just the tip of an iceberg.

On his homepage, Alloheim writes that the residents of the home in Bramsche are “lovingly cared for” and there is talk of a “comfortable family atmosphere.”

Was that also the case on June 1st? Only one employee showed up for early shift. Six other nursing staff are said to have called in sick at short notice. The home manager then asked the rescue control center for help. The DRK arrived with 19 helpers to look after the residents – until the late shift arrived.

An exceptional situation, according to the operator Alloheim upon request star and RTL. The care of the elderly was “guaranteed at all times”. The “established alarm chain” between the home and the DRK worked “as intended”. In addition, two employees from the night shift supported the colleague. The DRK was able to be replaced by its own staff that morning.

So just a temporary bottleneck in an otherwise well-functioning home?

Research of the star give a different picture of the conditions in the seniors’ residence: According to this, the home supervision seems to have had the home in its sights for years because of repeated grievances. According to the Osnabrück district, which is responsible for home supervision, she has checked dozens of times since 2023. And some serious deficiencies were discovered.

Supervision came nine times in 2023. Eleven times in 2024. And this year until the end of September: 35 times. Again and again it was about the handling of medication, and a few times also about a lack of staff and its possible effects, said an official spokesman. Despite multiple consultations, the supervisory authority was unable to find “any significant improvement” in several deficiencies. Therefore, she “increased the density of controls”. And “various admission stops” were temporarily imposed.

In March 2024, for example, the home supervision department is said to have received several complaints about a lack of staff. Because the staff shortage was confirmed, the home supervision ordered an admission stop. At times no new residents were allowed to be admitted.

Alloheim senior residences confirmed to the star and RTL that there was an occupancy stop at the end of March 2024 due to a “temporary staff shortage”. However, it was “prematurely revoked” after seven weeks. Since then, Bramsche has employed “on average more staff than required”.

On June 2nd of this year, one day after the high-profile emergency operation, the examiners came again for an “event-related” examination.

Although there were enough staff again, the inspectors found deficiencies in the handling of medication. In principle, residents’ medication should be stored in a locked cupboard and distributed to the respective resident in accordance with the specifications of the medication plan. Sloppiness can quickly become dangerous here – for example, if a dose that is too high or too low or the medication is stopped too early.

Because the orders for the “proper handling of medicines” apparently did not bring about sufficient improvement, the office has now even imposed penalty payments.

A few weeks ago, at the beginning of September 2025, there was a new inspection, according to the district spokesman. And it has shown that the deficiencies – for example in the handling of medicines – have still not been completely remedied. According to their own statements, the home supervision is also examining “further steps”. The nursing home law also offers a number of options: for example, additional fines and proceedings for administrative offenses. Or, in extreme cases, closure. However, according to the district spokesman, the measure must be “proportionate”.

Alloheim explains to star and RTL said they were “in discussion” with the home supervision about the current orders. The company is also working in close coordination with the authorities and with additional specialists to improve medication management. In addition, Alloheim has filled the responsible positions. This is now showing “first effects”.