Tove Harnett

Introduction

I am an Associate Professor in Social Work and hold a PhD in Gerontology. Together with Professor Håkan Jönson, I currently lead research on user perspectives within home care services and special transportation services ("färdtjänst"). I am also involved in research projects focusing on support for older adults living with long-term substance use and complex needs. In addition, I lead a project on retirees as caregivers for their even older old parents and the new meaning of the third age (project starting end of 2026). My research also includes studies on dementia, ageism, and the rights of older persons with disabilities.

My teaching spans several levels and programmes. At present, it is mainly focused on the course Social Work with Older People, where I serve as course coordinator, as well as on doctoral supervision.

Major research grants

"The new meaning of the third age: Retirees as eldercarers for their older parents in a super aged society"  PI. (Co-PI Håkan Jönson) Swedish Research Council. 4 740 000 SEK. 2026-2028

“Home care as integrated in older people’s lives: Developing a user-oriented perspective” PI,  (Co-PI Håkan Jönson) FORTE 4 320 000 SEK, 2022-2024.

“Navigators of the support system: How older people understand, negotiate, and coordinate home care and other forms of help in their everyday lives”. Co-PI (PI Håkan Jönson), FORTE, 5 900 000 SEK, 2022-2025.

“Specialist eldercare for people with substance abuse and complex needs: Promising practices or institutionalized ageism?” Co-PI (PI Håkan Jönson), FORTE 4 700 000 SEK, 2019-2022.

"Lifestories in dementia care: Challenges and possibilities” i äldreomsorgen - Utmaningar och möjligheter".PI, Ribbingska Minnesfonden 240 000SEK, 2021-2022.

“Age or needs? Age as an organizing principle for the provision of services to persons with support needs” PI, (Co-PI Håkan Jönson) FORTE 4 100 000 SEK, 2017-2019

“Improving everyday conditions by reconceptualizing elder care through the lense of disability policies”, Co-PI (PI Håkan Jönson), FORTE 3 100 000 SEK SEK, 2015-2017

Research areas

•    User perspectives on eldercare
•    Aging and social problems
•    Third age and ageism
•    Life story work and dementia

Teaching

Currently, I mainly teach on advanced level and supervise PhD-students.

  
Networks

Vice-president of SGS, the Swedish Gerontological Society. 
Convenor of the European Network on Gerontological Social Work.