Our research area focuses on eldecare and issues related to the ageing population. This field addresses societal challenges of eldercare regarding organisation, collaboration, and care relationships between different welfare actors in an increasingly diverse and changing social care system. The rationalisations within social services' eldercare in recent decades have had significant consequences for groups and individuals. Simultaneously, norms about active and healthy ageing are ever-present in society. Ageing and becoming dependent on societal support to manage daily and specific needs often result in a socially vulnerable position. This affects how we view ourselves, other older people, and the social representations associated with ageing.
The department's research on eldercare and ageing highlights both structural aspects and individual experiences and life stories from perspectives including gender, ethnicity, disability, and violence. For example, we study what it means to age with social problems such as alcohol addiction or not being able to carry out one’s most intimate needs such as going to the toilet or showering.
’Ageing-in-place’ with support from long-term care is a strong political goal, locally and nationally as well as internationally. These political goals are frequently framed in terms of individuals' opportunities for participation and influence, personalisation, and self-determination, as well as ensuring that services are of high quality to achieve dignity in eldercare. Concepts like these need to be problematised and understood from different perspectives and in various contexts. Our research sheds light on organisational-, staff-, and user perspectives, as well as the perspectives of older people who do not receive societal assistance and support.
Society needs to focus on age-friendly services to enhance accessibility and equality. This necessitates a focus on collaboration among welfare actors such as social services and healthcare, as well as urban planning. Society's demands for increased digitalisation and welfare technology in eldercare draw attention to the organisation and provision of care services. With explicit demands for more sustainable and efficient care, it is anticipated that future staff may be partially replaced by technology for certain tasks. We investigate the organisation of the digitalisation of home care services. Case managers, unit managers, and care staff are central personnel groups for assessing needs and providing services to older people, as highlighted in our studies. We manage projects that examine how day and night home care services are organised and what competencies different staff groups need to meet future demands from practices and the increasingly diverse group of older people.
Communication of research is a priority in our area. Bridging the gaps between researchers, eldercare staff, and older people is crucial to address the complex challenges associated with ageing and to shape a future where care for older people is both humane and equitable.
National Network for Social Science Research on Ageing
GERDA – Gerontological Regional Database
Network for Work-Oriented Care Research
