Relationships first: Formal and informal home care of older adults in Sweden. (25th March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jarling, Aleksandra; Rydström, Ingela; Fransson, Eleonor I.; Nyström, Maria; Dalheim‐Englund, Ann‐Charlotte; Ernsth Bravell, Marie
• Is Part Of: Health & social care in the community. Volume 30:Number 5(2022)
• Page Start: e3207
• Page End: e3218
• Publication Date: 2022-03-25
• Subjects: community -- family caregiving -- health and social care -- health care -- home care -- informal care -- older people; Public welfare -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Periodicals; Human services -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13765
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0966-0410

Abstract

Abstract: To a great extent, older people in Sweden, often with extensive care needs, are cared for in their own home. Support is often needed from both family and professional caregivers. This study aimed to describe and analyse different aspects of health, functioning and social networks, and how they relate to formal and informal care in the home among older adults. Analyses were performed utilising data from the OCTO‐2 study, with a sample of 317 people living in Jönköping County, aged 75, 80, 85 or 90 years, living in their own homes. Data were collected with in‐person‐testing. Based on receipt of care, the participants were divided into three groups: no care, informal care only, and formal care with or without informal care. Descriptive statistics and multinomial regression analysis were performed to explore the associations between received care and different aspects of health (such as multimorbidity, polypharmacy), social networks (such as loneliness, number of confidants) and functioning (such as managing daily life). The findings demonstrate that the majority of the participants received no care at home (61%). Multimorbidity and polypharmacy were more common among those receiving some kind of care in comparison to those who received no care; moreover, those receiving some kind of care also had difficulties managing daily life and less satisfaction with their social networks. The multinomial logistic regression analyses demonstrated that age, functioning in daily life, perceived general health and satisfaction with the number of confidants were related to receipt of care, but the associations among these factors differed depending on the type of care that was received. The results show the importance of a holistic perspective that includes the older person's experiences when planning home care. The results also highlight the importance of considering social perspectives and relationships in home care rather than focusing only on health factors.