Supervision as pedagogy and support in the Swedish eldercare - a developmental project

Abstract

The number of elderly people is gradually increasing, and with it the number of persons receiving some kind of care in their everyday lives. However, researchers and the mass media recurrently report great difficulties for many caregivers in their work situations. This article considers process-oriented supervision as a pedagogic method for training and support of nurse aids and managers in Swedish eldercare. With reference to a developmental project, the author discusses the clash between the supervisor's process-oriented manner and the staffs' problem-oriented attitudes. This shows that supervision in this form may not necessarily be an effective way of reforming care. Instead the caregivers point out organisational changes and better leadership as more adequate methods.