Abstract
This study examines power relations in residential elder care. The aim is to explore how professionals position themselves and older adults in encounters, navigating individual, professional and organizational aspects of care. By conceptualizing care as a co-created process between the professional and the older adult, the research adopts a social psychological and a qualitative approach to daily care practices. Grounded in critical discursive psychology, the study uses positioning analysis to explore how professionals negotiate meanings of individual needs, ethical guidelines and care technology in practices of daily care. The data comprises 20 semi-structured interviews with care professionals conducted 2019 at a Finnish care home that provides round-the-clock services for older adults. Preliminary findings highlight the significance of cooperation for professionals’ job satisfaction but also point out that resistance to care is often normalized by positionings overlooking situational aspects or organizational practices that may impede this cooperation. Although these results are not representative of care organizations in general, they shed light on intricate social processes in daily care practices with implications for the wellbeing and security of both professionals and older adults. This emphasizes a need for further research to inform the development of sustainable care practices in ageing societies.
Presenters
Diana Stenvall HottiDoctoral Researcher, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki, Finland
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Positioning, Critical Discursive Psychology, Residential Elder Care, Co-creation of Care
