An Overview of “Quality of Life” by Elderly Receiving Care in Sweden

Abstract: The general aim of this dissertation is to examine the Quality of Life for Swedish elderly receiving care. The study will investigate how the elderly, when receiving care, conceptualize and express quality of life. The study will also show how key persons in the elders’ network understand this service and which structural factors are seemed to be important. Qualitative study design is the highest priority throughout the research. The empirical base is comprised of literature review and interviews with elderly receiving care from both public institution and home care. Some formal and informal care providers were interviewed as well. Total seven interviews were performed in Gothenburg and its neighborhoods. Results from the study reveal that the Swedish government has well defined policies (both social services and health care) in the care of the elderly. These formal care are supplemented by informal care and those together mediated by the elder’s network. The availability of formal care is equal to all but that of informal care differs according to the sizes and the interactions of these social networks. Also the demand for both forms of care differs according to needs by the elderly. The elder’s view of quality of life (QOL) includes the basic needs e.g. food, shelter, safety, social contact, and other ranges of opportunities within the individual's potential. It also includes some need for having control of their environments and possibilities to make some choices such as medical care, kind of housing and caregivers etc. Mainly the elderly expressed feelings of living ‘a good life’.