Sammanfattning
This study focuses on students’
view of elderly people of today
and how they see themselves as
elderly when joining their educational
programme. It has a qualitative,
explorative approach.
Data were collected through a
semi-structured open-ended questionnaire.
The sample consisted
of 142 junior students in three
under-graduade college programs.
One programme had its
focus on health and fitness, one
on social service and one on nursing.
The results show that most
students had a positive experience
of their elderly relatives and
a positive view of elderly people
in general. However, in their
choice of future collegues, the students
in all three programmes
preferred working with people
under 40 years of age. The same
results were reflected in preferred
age of future clients/patients. For
themselves when old, they wanted
good health, active contacts with
people in all ages, freedom of
choice and independence, stable
economy and to live in a safe
environment and society. They
found changes necessary in the
attitudes toward elderly in the
Swedish society, particularly with
regard to the respect for old people.
Conclusions were that, although
the students reported positive
experience of old people,
elder care may face difficulties in
staff recruitment ahead due to
their low priorities of working
with older clients/patients.