Public Long Term Care in Sweden

Abstract

This article describes and compares public home-help services and institutional care of the elderly in Sweden, regarding the care-recipients, the care they receive and their care-givers. Interviews were carried out on 364 elderly (65+) care receivers, living in the community or in different institutions. Proxy interviews were used when direct interviews were impossible because of mental impairment or poor health. The institutionalized elderly were older and more often functionally disabled, especially cognitively impaired. They received more care and in more different forms than the elderly living in the community. However, the picture was not unambiguous. The occurrence of health problems, and the daily use of medication was rather similar in the two types of care. Half the home-help recipients received a great deal of help frequently, and sometimes even around the clock. There were many similarities between the recipients of high-extent home help, and the residents in service houses, concerning their health status and functions, and the care they received. Elders in other institutions suffered more often from poor memory, and they received help with daily functions to a much larger extent. The caregivers in institutions were primarily employed staff. In home-based care family and friends more often contributed in some of the tasks. Private service providers or volunteers were very sparse in both forms of care.