Partner care, gender equality, and ageing in Spain and Sweden

Abstract

We used national surveys to study how older persons' changing household patterns influence the gender balance of caregiving in two countries with distinct household structures and cultures, Spain and Sweden. In both countries, men and women provide care equally often for their partner in couple-only households. This has become the most common household type among older persons in Spain and prevails altogether in Sweden. This challenges the traditional dominance of young or middle-aged women as primary caregivers in Spain. In Sweden, many caregivers are old themselves. We focus attention to partners as caregivers and the consequences of changing household structures for caregiving, which may be on the way to gender equality in both countries, with implications for families and for the public services.

Long-Term Care Use During the Last 2 Years of Life in Sweden: Implications for Policy to Address Increased Population Aging

“…On the other hand, an increase in male survival is expected to result in longer marriages or partnerships and changing household structures where more women will have potential access to informal care from a partner toward the end of life. 34 Indeed, no difference between men and women in caregiving for partners has been shown in couple-only households, 24,34 a rapidly increasing household-type in many countries and altogether prevailing in Sweden. 34 Yet, when relationships last into advanced old age, the capacity of caring for a partner toward the end of life, when care needs often are extensive, may be limited among very old couples.…”

“…34 Indeed, no difference between men and women in caregiving for partners has been shown in couple-only households, 24,34 a rapidly increasing household-type in many countries and altogether prevailing in Sweden. 34 Yet, when relationships last into advanced old age, the capacity of caring for a partner toward the end of life, when care needs often are extensive, may be limited among very old couples. Against the background of recent developments in the Swedish LTC system, it may be expected that support from family members outside the household will gain importance, 25,35 as well as services paid out of pocket, indicating a narrower definition of public responsibility.…”

Ett halvt århundrade svensk äldreomsorg– var står stat och familj?

“…Omkring en femtedel av de äldre är omsorgsgivare, dvs. ungefär samma andel som bland yngre personer (Abellan et al, 2017).…”

“…Omvänt är det allt fler vuxna som har föräldrar i livet allt längre. Tvärtemot vad många tror så har de flesta äldre också barn boende ganska nära, med lokala variationer (Alm Stenflo, 2006;Sundström 2018). Proportionsvis allt färre äldre bor ensamma, men ensamboende är relaterat till ålder.…”

Whose Right to a “Reasonable Level of Living”? Spouses with Differing Care Needs in Swedish Nursing Homes

“…In Sweden, a country where couple-only households dominate among people over sixty-five years of age (Abellan et al 2017), an amendment to the Social Services Act from 2012 facilitated a shift toward spouse cohabitation in nursing homes. Essentially, residential care still requires needs assessment.…”