PhD Study by Katja Jungo
Background
In the context of long-term care provision in Switzerland, assisted living represents an intermediate form between professional long-term care at home (Spitex) and residential care facilities. Assisted living is a form of living that combines personal independence with access to targeted care and support services in home-like surroundings.
However, there are many different models of assisted living in Switzerland. They differ greatly in terms of the services they offer, their organization and their financing, which in turn has an impact on the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of these forms of living.
Demographic change and the increasing number of older people in need of care are leading to a significant rise in demand for assisted living in Switzerland. Many older people want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible – rather than moving into a nursing home. Living at home is associated with greater independence, co-determination and participation. This project examines the extent to which participation is considered and practiced in assisted living.
Objectives
The aim of this research project is to analyze the possibilities of participation of older people in assisted living in Switzerland and to develop approaches to promote forms of participation. In a first step, an overview of assisted living in current academic and societal discourses is provided. Secondly, the importance of participation for the actors involved will be examined, in which areas it is already practiced and in which it is lacking. Possible inequities will be identified and analyzed. Thirdly, ideas and approaches for promoting equitable participation will be developed.
Methods
The methodology of this research project is based on an ethnographic approach that combines qualitative methods such as participant observation, informal conversations, interviews and document analysis. The project involves several months of ethnographic fieldwork in various assisted living in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. The approach includes the interactions between residents, care providers, and administration in addition to the structural framework conditions. Moreover, official documents, guidelines and legal frameworks are examined in order to capture institutional discourses. The methodology based on an ethnographic approach provides a flexible research strategy that captures and analyzes emerging topics in a qualitative depth and diversity.
