Services for older people: the European perspective

Jönköping University 6 July, 2009 Medicine

In most European countries, services for older persons have developed gradually in steps: first came institutional care, then Home Help and Home Health Care, to be followed by other types of services, often neglected in statistics and in research. Sweden reflects this trend. There were drastic cutbacks in Swedish services for older people after 1975, if only institutional care and Home Help are taken into consideration, but not if all types of public services are taken into account.

Coverage rates are much higher if all types of services are taken into account, even internationally, among older people in general, and among those at risk (frail persons). Coverage rates nearly doubled when all types of services are taken into consideration. Countries with higher Home Care rates (Israel and Norway) have larger overlaps between types of services, and more choice, but generally clients use what is available. Low-coverage countries rely more on family care. Older persons, and their families, prefer a mix of family care and public services.

Read more about Professor Gerdt Sundström’s research www.hhj.hj.se/doc/5142

Image on www.hj.se/eng/press

The School of Health Sciences is one of four schools within Jönköping University. The School is one of Sweden’s leading educators in health, care and social work. Research is conducted within three research areas: Ageing – Living Conditions and Health; Quality Improvements, Innovations and Leadership; and CHILD. The School of Health Sciences has some 2,000 registered students, some 160 employees and a turnover of approximately SEK 165 millions.

Full press release

For further information, please contact:
Professor Gerdt Sundström, phone: +46 (0)70 22 22 180

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