Objectives: The overarching aim of this project was to investigate which factors influence the provision of eldercare services (both residential care and home care) among people aged 65+ with and without dementia in Sweden with an emphasis on persons living with dementia. In doing so, the project was specifically interested in: (1) to investigate the effects of social factors (i.e., age, gender, cohabiting status) on the provision of municipal eldercare for older adults with dementia compared to older adults without dementia in Sweden; and (2) given that a number of people living with dementia do not have any eldercare, what is the association between different key social background factors, number of years with dementia, hospital care and no eldercare amongst people living with dementia in the age group 65+ in Sweden.
Results: The project generated an understanding of eldercare practices at the local level in Sweden for people living with and without dementia aged 65+. That is, how eldercare services are provided by the local municipalities for people with and without dementia and how other socio-demographic factors (e.g. age, gender, marital status) might have influence on the services. The project identified the groups of older adults aged 65+ with and without dementia regarding their eldercare service status in Swedish context. In addition, who are those people living with dementia did not receive any eldercare service at all was one of the primary findings. The project is also looking at what factors are involved in getting any kind of eldercare during the last five years of life among the Swedish older adults focusing on those who are living with dementia. The overall results from this project will enhance our knowledge on the association between eldercare services and sociodemographic factors that has rarely been examined in Swedish context. The Swedish example would further contribute to the discussion and development of policy efforts and best-practice models within the area of social welfare for people living with dementia.
Secondment(s)(Months), co-Supervisors: RGU (3M), Prof. Angela Kydd: The secondment was geared towards enhancing exposure to different health care settings and public activism related to care for older adults.
