Development and consequences of group living in Sweden: A new mode of care for the demented elderly

Abstract

The process of developing a new mode of care for the demented elderly, group living (GL), is evaluated and the consequences discussed. The increasing proportion of very old persons in Sweden means a higher prevalence of dementia. The majority of patients in traditional institutional long term care show cognitive deterioration. An insufficient caring situation, both in quantity and quality has long been observed. This, and a better knowledge and understanding of dementing diseases, their symptoms and consequences, has been the impetus to develop an alternative care model, group living (GL), for well defined groups of demented elderly. The concept of GL discussed here means a setting strictly adapted to the abilities and psychosocial needs of moderately diseased Alzheimer and vascular demented patients. Security, integrity promoting therapy and activation are specially stressed. The importance of informing and educating different kinds of actors simultaneously to structural changes in social and physical patterns within the implementation of the new concept is illustrated.