SWECARE - a study of the work situation in eldercare in the light of structural and organizational changes

Research problem and specific questionsEldercare services are facing significant structural and organizational challenges due to an aging population and increasing care needs.

Also, the sector is characterized by escalating work-related problem, high rates of sick leave, among both frontline staff and managers.

Eldercare is a field under constant change, and over the past decade numerous policy reforms have been implemented to address challenges in the sector, particularly regarding staff shortages.

There is, however, lack of knowledge how these changes are affecting the working conditions of various staff groups, as well as their health and wellbeing.

The current project aims to fill this knowledge gap by analyzing the work situation of frontline staff and managers in Swedish eldercare.Data and methodThe project adopts a mixed-methods design and comprises three sub-studies: (I) a survey of frontline staff in homecare and residential care, (II) group interviews with the same professional groups, and (III) individual interviews with managers in homecare and residential care.

The results of the survey study are analyzed in relation to corresponding survey studies from 2005 and 2015, thus constituting a repeated cross-sectional study in this regard.

The theoretical framework combines feminist economic theories of job valuation and feminist policy analysis, with theories of institutional logics and work-oriented theories inspired by the JD-R model.Societal relevance and utilisationThe project addresses fundamental societal needs in managing current challenges within eldercare, and generates benefits for the surrounding society, including staff as well as care users and their families.

Through the project, it is possible to identify both favorable and unfavorable working conditions, and relate these conditions to structural and organizational prerequisites of eldercare.

Hence, there is a significant potential to contribute to improved working conditions for frontline staff and managers, and ultimately, to enhance the quality of care.Plan for project realizationThe project spans over three years starting in 2025 when the survey study (study I) is conducted.

The results of study I serve as a basis for study II involving in-depth group interviews with personnel in homecare and residential care.

Subsequently, individual interviews with unit managers in the same facilities are conducted based on the analyses of the group interviews (study III).