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Tove Harnett. Foto: Sanna Dolck Wall

Tove Harnett

Associate professor, PhD Gerontology

Tove Harnett. Foto: Sanna Dolck Wall

Age-based entitlement : An ageist practice or a tool for combatting ageism?

Author

  • Håkan Jönson
  • Elisabeth Carlstedt
  • Tove Harnett

Summary, in English

Researchers in gerontology have addressed the way age-based arrangements may communicate stereotypical and devaluing images of older people, thereby linking high age to frailty and dependence. The present article considers proposed reforms to the Swedish eldercare system designed to guarantee people over 85 the right to move into a nursing home regardless of their needs. The purpose of the article is to investigate older people's views on age-based entitlement in light of this proposal. What might the consequences of implementing the proposal be? Does it communicate devaluing images? Do the respondents consider it a case of ageism? The data consists of 11 peer group interviews with 34 older individuals. Bradshaw's taxonomy of needs was used to code and analyze data. Four positions on the proposed guarantee were identified: care should be arranged (1) according to needs, not age; (2) according to age as a proxy for needs; (3) according to age, as a right; and (4) according to age, to combat “fourth ageism”, meaning ageism directed towards frail older persons, i.e. persons in the fourth age. The notion that such a guarantee might constitute ageism was dismissed as irrelevant, while difficulties in getting access to care were presented as the real discrimination. It is theorized that some forms of ageism posited as theoretically relevant may not be experienced as such by older people themselves.

Department/s

  • School of Social Work
  • Ageing and Eldercare
  • LU Profile Area: Proactive Ageing

Publishing year

2023-03

Language

English

Publication/Series

Journal of Aging Studies

Volume

64

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Elsevier

Topic

  • Social Work

Keywords

  • Ageism
  • Eldercare
  • Needs
  • Nursing home care
  • Social rights

Status

Published

Project

  • Age as an organizing principle for the provision of services to persons with support needs

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0890-4065