Alkoholmissbruk och självbestämmande – en kartläggning av den svenska hemtjänstens förutsättningar att arbeta med äldre personer med alkoholproblem

Abstract

Aim Alcohol abuse and self-determination-a mapping of the conditions for home care work with older persons with alcohol problems in Sweden. The aim of this study was to investigate the conditions within home care services when working with older persons with alcohol abuse. Design A telephone survey has been carried out and middle managers for needs assessment officers and middle managers for home care staff have been interviewed. The managers in 25 municipalities in the Stockholm area took part in the study. Results It was common that care workers were in regular contact with older people with alcohol abuse. However, very few had any training regarding how to treat older people with alcohol abuse and there was no specialization within this field. A conflicting task was the question of buying alcohol to alcohol addicts. The self determination of older people was the guideline. The home care workers had little or no cooperation with misuse teams in the municipalities. The municipalities had no guidelines for the work with older people with alcohol abuse and the responsibility was pressed down to the lowest level in the organization. Conclusions To a great extent, home care workers stand alone in the work with older people with alcohol problems.