My academic journey began outside of academia, where experiences in care work and leadership within elderly care sparked my interest in organizational structures, power dynamics, and their impact on individuals. My Master's studies in social work drew me closer to issues of gender equality and how norms surrounding "women's work" influence elderly care.
As a Ph.D. student at NISAL, the (Swedish) National Institute for Studies on Aging and later life, I delved into family care and informal caregiving, with a particular focus on men's experiences as caregivers. By challenging traditional notions of women as the "natural" caregivers, I have been able to contribute new perspectives to the field.
My research is characterized by an interest in how norms, both gender and age-related, shape people's lives and opportunities. I am particularly interested in examining how these norms mold our perceptions of a "good life" and how they can create both opportunities and constraints.
In my completed research projects, I have studied issues such as loneliness among older adults, the impact of mobile geriatric teams, and how summer camps can contribute to a better life for older adults experiencing loneliness.
Currently, I am involved in several exciting research projects:
Caregiver support in policy and media: This project aims to examine how caregivers and older adults in need of care are portrayed in policy documents and media. By analyzing different representations, we aim to increase understanding of how these portrayals affect the situation of caregivers and society's view of care work.
Men as caregivers: This project aims to study the development over time of men's involvement in informal care. By analyzing long-term data from large-scale population surveys, we aim to highlight men's role as caregivers.
Living at home with dementia: Together with an interdisciplinary team, we are examining home care services from decision-making to implementation for older people with dementia. By interviewing both relatives and people with dementia, we want to gain a deeper understanding of their experiences and needs and follow the entire intervention process. This is linked to both the Aging in Places with dementia project and the DEM(H)CARE research program.
