Ulla Melin Emilsson
Researcher
Good personal finances or a strong social capital – on different life conditions of importance for an active life when becoming alone in old age.
Author
Summary, in English
Becoming alone in old age can be a decisive life event that brings major changes depending on various causes as health status, financial resources, family situation, and available welfare services. This article discusses the situation of older people in Sweden who have transitioned from a two-person to single-person household in recent years and what impact this might have on their everyday lives. Through in-depth interviews with 18 older people, age 67–90, their experiences about life conditions and opportunities were examined. Findings showed large differences between the men and women. They all tried to live as they always had done and they used the same personal life strategies that they always had. But the men could live as before on their own financial merits, while the women needed assistance from children, grandchildren and the welfare system. Transportation options were central and clearly related to both private economy and social services available. Shortcomings in the welfare state's way of caring for the elderly were clearly uncovered. The gap between social policy promises of opportunities for autonomy and independence to live an active life in old age and the everyday reality for older people still seems to be wide.
Department/s
- School of Social Work
- Transport and Roads
Publishing year
2016-09-02
Language
English
Pages
749-763
Publication/Series
European Journal of Social Work
Volume
19
Issue
5
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Routledge
Topic
- Social Work
Keywords
- active life
- financial conditions
- pension
- widow
- widower
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1369-1457