title: Caring while living apart.
abstract: In recent years, researchers have paid increasing attention to the issue of care in the new types of family and partner relationships. The aim of this study is to examine expectations and attitudes concerning care among elderly people in LAT (Living Apart Together)- relationships in Sweden, that is, people who have a long-term intimate relationship, but who do not share a common home. Questionnaires were completed by 116 elderly people in LAT-relationships. Partners are ranked as the main providers of care, especially by men, but there is considerable variation in the answers. This seems to be principally related to the degree of flexibility in this type of relationship. Some individuals see a LAT-relationship as a marriage-like relationship, while others see it primarily as a type of relationship that guarantees them the possibility of maintaining their own independent way of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, Mid-Sweden University, Ostersund, Sweden. sofie.karlsson@miun.se
authors.forename: Sofie Ghazanfareeon
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Karlsson
authors.forename: Stina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gerdner
authors.forename: Klas
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Borell
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D012946:Social Welfare; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D013997:Time Factors