The increasing number of very old people will change the Swedish model of the welfare state.
In Sweden as well as many other welfare states, society has assumed--or been given--a number of functions formerly performed by the family. Child care and care of the elderly are here two significant examples. Since 1960 the number of institutional beds for the care of the elderly has doubled. The number of personnel working within the home-help and home-care systems has increased sharply. In spite of this, the demand for service and care is today increasing faster than the input of new resources. Many have been worried that the increasing number of very old people will create (too) heavy a strain on the Swedish economy. But the main problem will be not the economy but rather the scarcity of personnel. Even the most optimistic prognosis indicates that within the next 10 years, the number of personnel employed in the care of the elderly will no longer be sufficient. Heavy burdens will be placed on families and on women. The potential labour force of the newly retired will be needed, the private sector will expand, etc. Sweden will still be a welfare state, but the fundamental concept of a society where services and care are provided for all citizens on equal terms will change.
Thorslund
M
M
Department of Social Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
D005190:Family; D006291:Health Policy; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000639:trends*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D011056:Political Systems; D013548:Sweden