Keeping the older population and their informal carers healthy and independent using digital technology: a discourse analysis of local policy

Författare
Nilsson Maria, Andersson Stefan, Magnusson Lennart, Hanson Elizabeth
Titel
Keeping the older population and their informal carers healthy and independent using digital technology: a discourse analysis of local policy
Utgivningsår
2024
Tidskrift
Ageing & Society
Volym
44
Häfte
4
Sidor
812-842
Url
DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x22000514
Nyckelord
ageing, informal care, digital technology, policy, discourse, health and social care, welfare state
Sammanfattning

The general discourse in health and social care policy purports digital technology as necessary to meet growing demands for long-term care and health care as a result of an ageing population. This needs critical investigation since public policy influences people's health and wellbeing. This study aims to interrogate critically what we call the ‘digital technology solution’ discourse in local Swedish health and social care policies. The main concern of our analysis is the discursive constructions of older people and their informal carers and how the concept of health is constructed. A discourse analysis was conducted of 61 local policy documents using the ‘What's the Problem Represented to Be’ method. Our analysis revealed that so-called ‘e-health strategies’ were rarely concerned with health. Health was often referred to as an activity and seen as a means to achieve independence among older people. The norm advocated independence, with the responsibility placed upon the older person, supported by digital technology. Informal carers were constructed as a resource within an older person's environment and largely taken for granted. We argue that the digital solution discourse ignores older people's agency and capacities as contributors to society, not least with regards to being providers of informal care

Tillbaka till söksidan