Nordic eldercare – Weak universalism becoming weaker?

Abstract

This paper builds on recent research on the fortunes of universalism in European social policy by tracing the development of eldercare policy in four Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Six dimensions of universalism are used to assess whether and how eldercare has been universalised or de-universalised in each country in recent decades and the consequences of the trends thereby identified. We find that de-universalisation has occurred in all four countries, but more so in Finland and Sweden than in Denmark and Norway. Available data show an increase in forprofit provision of publicly funded care services (via policies promoting service marketisation), and an increase of family care (re-familialisation) as well of services, paid out-of-pocket (privatisation).These changes have occurred without an explicit attack on universalism or retrenchment of formal rights but are threatening the class-and gender-equalising potential of Nordic welfare states.2

Supplemental home care and topping‐up: A shift from service universalism towards a new and privatised public service model?

“…This is a critical juncture in the recent politics of Nordic social care. In a recent article, Szebehely and Meagher (2018) state that an already weakened universalism has become weaker in Nordic long-term care. They argue that this is due to increases in for-profit provision of publicly funded care services (free choice reforms), family care (re-familialisation), as well as of user-financed services (supplemental services).…”

Facing dementia as a we: Investigating couples’ challenges and communicative strategies for managing dementia

“…Consequently there is now a more diverse, multidimensional system, with an increase in both private and public actors in care for the elderly (Blomberg & Pettersson, 2011). This development has resulted, among other things, in a reduction of the proportion of older people who are granted welfare services in terms of care for the elderly in Sweden (Meagher & Szebehely 2013;Szebehely & Meagher, 2017). Therefore, more people purchase services when their needs are not covered by social services, and this has consequences for families and carers with lower levels of education, who purchase services less frequently than those with higher education.…”

“…However, over the last few decades, care for the elderly in Sweden has undergone substantial changes (Meagher & Szebehely, 2013;Szebehely & Meagher, 2017). These have involved a transformation influenced by neoliberal politics, with an emphasis on economic efficiency and cost reduction through competition between private and municipality-based care providers (Andersson & Kvist, 2015).…”

“…Therefore, more people purchase services when their needs are not covered by social services, and this has consequences for families and carers with lower levels of education, who purchase services less frequently than those with higher education. This development affects women to a great extent, as they are the main carers and are more likely to reduce their formal labour time due to care responsibilities (Jegermalm, 2005;Jegermalm & Sundström, 2017;Ullmanen, 2015;Ullmanen & Szebehely, 2015;Saraceno, 2010;Szebehely & Meagher, 2017).…”

“…It involves a publicly provided, comprehensive, high-quality service available to all citizens, which aims to reduce gender and class inequalities (Szebehely & Meagher, 2017;Szebehely & Trydegård, 2012). Care for the elderly in Sweden has mainly been financed through tax revenue (Blomberg, 2008;Szebehely, 2005).…”