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. 2022 Sep 30;19(19):12526.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph191912526.

Impact of Sociodemographic Factors on Use of Formal Social Services in an Older Swedish Population

Emilie Stroh  1 , Anna Axmon  1   2 , Connie Lethin  3 , Gunilla Carlsson  3 , Agneta Malmgren Fänge  3 , Kristoffer Mattisson  1
Affiliations

Impact of Sociodemographic Factors on Use of Formal Social Services in an Older Swedish Population

Emilie Stroh et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: In Sweden, societal support for older people is the responsibility of the municipalities. However, due to Sweden's current aging-in-place policy for older people, there is a need to assess how the use of such services varies based on sociodemographic factors. The aim of this study was to describe the use of different forms of social services and institutional long-term care (ILTC) in an older population and to evaluate the impact of sociodemographic factors.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional register-based study, including all individuals aged 65 years and older in two Swedish municipalities in 2010, 2015, and 2019. The study analyzed the use of social services and ILTC in relation to sex, place of birth, cohabitation status, and type of housing.

Results: Women, those born in Sweden, and those living in an apartment were more likely to receive assistance than men, those born abroad, or living in single family houses, respectively. People living alone were consistently more likely to have assistance, as well as ILTC.

Conclusions: There may be a discrepancy between the individual's need and the assistance provided from the municipality in certain sociodemographic groups in the older population in Sweden.

Keywords: community and health care; healthy aging; home care services; informal care; institutional long-term care; nursing home; social services; sociodemographic factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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