Perceptions of intimacy and integrity in formal home care

Abstract

ABSTRACT Sweden has a long tradition of providing social care and support to its citizens in their own homes through formal home care, delivered either by home care services or personal assistance. A majority of people given support by formal home care need assistance with personal and intimate care. The focus of this interview study was on exploring care recipients', care workers', personal assistants' and care unit managers' perceptions and experiences of intimate and personal care in the context of formal home care in Sweden. In total, 57 interviews were conducted with 42 persons. Three themes emerged in the analysis: Personal Hygiene, Personal Sphere, and The Contextual Variability of Intimacy. Interviewees described intimate care as being inseparable from a person's service needs as a whole. Highlighted was how caring for and washing intimate body parts, intrusion into recipients' personal spheres, and the need to preserve integrity vary depending on situational, temporal and relational aspects. To safeguard the care recipient's influence, integrity and dignity in the reception/provision of care work, home care services and personal assistance, it is important to raise awareness of the variation in perceptions of intimate and personal care in education and inhouse training.