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This essay is about person-centredness and universalism within the context of the Norwegian welfare state. The focus is on municipal elderly care. Is it a realistic ambition for years to come to implement person-centredness in a setting of universalism in Norwegian municipal elderly care? Political rhetoric emphasizing the value of adaptation of healthcare to individual needs has gained ground in Norway in recent decades. The term “person-centredness” is part of this rhetoric. This happens at a time when the Norwegian tradition of universalism is under pressure. Some authors suggest that an increased tendency to emphasize person-centredness may support ongoing developments undermining previous societal commitments to universalism. The essay explores the basis for these assumptions. It discusses the potential impact on the prospects for person-centredness/universalism of juridical conditions, popular attitudes, the level of academic consciousness, and conditions related to organization and economic capacity. To what degree does research about each of these conditions indicate that person-centredness and universalism may be realized in this field in years to come? It concludes that strong arguments both speak in favour of and against it. Norway is probably better equipped than many other societies for a combined commitment to person-centredness and universalism. However, what the future brings may depend on several factors, and probably above all on how the economic capacity problem of the welfare state is handled.

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