Old-age social exclusion in home care - prevalence, meanings & intervention (SOLDEX)

STUDY DESCRIPTION

In the research project, we explore old-age social exclusion through five overlapping domains: economic exclusion, exclusion from social relations, exclusion from services, community and spatial exclusion, and civic exclusion. As a cross-cutting theme, we examine older home care client’s social exclusion from the perspective of access to justice, including self-determination and the accessibility of services, for example.

In Work Package 1, we examine the prevalence and associated factors for social exclusion in older home care clients using survey and administrative data. The survey data was collected in 2022 among home care clients aged 65 living in two different research areas. As administrative data, we use the clients’ functional ability assessments and information about the use of services.

In Work Package 2, we examine meanings and experiences related to social exclusion and living at home for the older home care clients. In addition, we look at how home care and being a home care client builds and shapes the everyday lives of older people. Qualitative data was collected by interviewing home care clients and their informal carers.

In Work Package 3, we examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of day care activities for the older home care clients using a multi-method quasi-experimental research design. Effectiveness is examined from the perspectives of inclusion, loneliness and quality of life related to social services. We also evaluate the intervention process and examine the obstacles and incentives for its implementation.