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Aging in Sweden

Officially as the Kingdom of Sweden, Sweden is the third-largest country in the European Union, at 450,295 square kilometers. A Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe. The capital city of Sweden is Stockholm, which is also the country’s largest city. Sweden has been ranked as the fourth most competitive country in the world and has a rapidly growing economy with an equal distribution of income. The country boasts a rich culture and heritage, which has attracted many tourists over the years. The 2018 estimated population for the country is 9.98 million.

In 2018, Sweden’s population is estimated to be 9.98 million, making it the 91st largest country in the world by population. The next million mark of 11 million is expected at the beginning of the 2040s. By the end of the forecast period in 2060, the population is expected to be 11.6 million persons.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) data, life expectancy at birth for the Swedish population is calculated at 82 years, with 81 years for males and 84 years for females. The number of live births has increased by 0.93% since 2012, as opposed to deaths which have decreased by 1.1%. Sweden was ranked at 14th place according to its life expectancy estimates (Sweden, 2017).

The demographic profile of Sweden has altered drastically due to immigration patterns since the 1970s. Estimates of the age structure of the Swedish population shows that most of the people are middle-aged: 0-14 years (17%), 15-64 years (63%), 65 years and above (20%). Sex ratio according to the 2011 estimate is: at birth (1.06 Male/Female), under 15 (1.06 Male/Female), 15-64 (1.02 Male/Female), 65 years and above (0.81 Male/Female) and total population (0.98 Male/Female).

The Global AgeWatch Index examines and ranks countries according to the social and economic wellbeing of older people. It measures four key domains for older people, covering the most crucial aspects of their wellbeing, experience, and opportunities. These are; income security, health status, capability, and the enabling environment – factors that older people say are necessary for them to be able to function independently. In data obtained from the Global Age Watch, Sweden ranks third overall in the Index and ranks consistently high on all domains.

The country ranks highest in the capability domain with an employment rate (73.6%) and levels of educational attainment (68.7%) among older people above the regional averages.

It ranks 6 in the enabling environment domain due to older people’s high satisfaction with safety (73%), civic freedom (94%) and public transport (65%). It also ranks high on the income security domain, with 100% pension income coverage and an old age poverty rate (5.3%) that is three percentage points below the regional average.

Sweden ranks lowest in the health domain with levels of life expectancy at 60 (24) and healthy life expectancy at 60 (18) that are near regional averages.

Sweden is known for its universal and comprehensive social and health care programs.

The right to live together

Sweden’s Social Services Act states that elderly people who have lived together for an extended period can continue to do so even when one of them needs to move into supported accommodation.

Funding

Most elderly care is funded by municipal taxes and government grants. In 2014, the total cost of elderly care in Sweden was SEK 109.2 billion (USD 12.7 billion, EUR 11.7 billion), but only 4 percent of the cost was financed by patient charges. Healthcare costs paid by the elderly themselves are subsidized and based on specified rate schedules.

Sweden is one of the nations that established reforms which focus on and encourage high-quality long-term care for elderly in institutions as well as in-home care. In Sweden, municipalities are responsible for the elderly care and provide funding for in-home assistance as well as manage the needs of accessible housing. 94% of the elderly over the age of 65 live at home and are given the opportunity to live an independent life, even if someone is in need of supported assistance. If an older person needs assistance from a health care worker, he or she can apply for this assistance. Also, most regions offer ready-cooked meals which are even delivered to the elderly’s home.

When an elderly person is no longer able to cope with the demands of everyday life, he or she can apply for assistance from municipally funded home-help services. The extent of such care is subject to an assessment of need. Elderly people with disabilities can receive assistance around the clock, which means that many are able to remain at home throughout their lives. The severely ill, too, can be provided with health and social care in their own homes.

Transportation services

The elderly and disabled also qualify for transportation services in taxis or specially adapted vehicles. This option is available to those who are unable to travel by regular public transport.

The Swedish pension system

All Swedish citizens are entitled to a national retirement pension after they retire. People can choose to start receiving their pension between the ages of 61 and 67.

There are several different sources that make up a Swedish pension. People who have worked and lived in Sweden will get a national retirement pension based on the income on which they have paid tax. The national retirement pension consists of income pension, premium pension and a guaranteed pension.

Preventive care keeps older people healthier

Several new forms of effective preventive healthcare for the elderly have been introduced in recent years, and are attracting increasing levels of interest.

One example is physical activity on prescription, both for preventive purposes and as a form of treatment. Older people are prescribed not just exercise in general but a certain type of physical activity, sometimes in combination with medication, with doctors monitoring the results.

Personal injury is one of the main health problems among older people, so considerable efforts are made to reduce injuries from falls. Information is made available to the elderly, and special municipal ‘fixers’ help with things like curtain-hanging and changing light bulbs in the home.

Stimulation through music, films, reading, painting and other cultural activities also plays a role in well-being. This is increasingly recognized in elderly care homes where many people engage in at least one such activity every day.

Training programmes for staff

Elderly care today is more advanced and complicated than in the past. Much of the care and treatment once provided in hospitals is now provided in the home, which makes it essential to have efficient, multi-professional teams capable of working with elderly people and their families. To ensure high standards, the government recently invested SEK 1 billion in additional training programmes for staff working in elderly care and is investing another SEK 180 million in 2016.

How the elderly live

Swedish municipalities planning housing and residential areas are required to ensure that they meet the needs of elderly people and those with disabilities. These accessibility requirements have been given greater prominence in legislation over the years. A growing number of elderly people in Sweden want to live in ‘senior housing,’ ordinary homes for people aged 55 and over. In such homes, accessibility is a priority. Some are newly built, while others are regular homes that have been made more accessible as part of conversion or renovation work.

Lagom is an important and often-used word in Sweden. Meaning good enough, or just right, it sums up Swedish cultural and social ideals of equality and fairness. Openness and equality are also important concepts. The Swedish model is based on fundamental principles that express the equal worth of every individual as well as the equal right of everyone to receive medical care.

Aging in Sweden has been almost uniquely shaped by its history—most notably the long tradition of locally controlled services for older adults. Sweden is well ahead of many other countries in terms of both population aging and the development of aging-related policies and services.

References

Sweden (2017). World Health Organization. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/countries/swe/en/

Scobie, J., Asfour, L., Beales, S., Gillam, S. J., McGeachie, P., Mihnovits, A., … & Zaidi, A. (2015). Global AgeWatch Index 2015: insight report. HelpAge International.