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Course syllabus - Social Support and Care in Daily Life

Scope

7.5 credits

Course code

SAA060

Valid from

Autumn semester 2016

Education level

Second cycle

Progressive Specialisation

A1N (Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Main area(s)

Social Work

Organisation

School of Health, Care and Social Welfare

Ratified

2016-01-28

Literature lists

Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.

    • Ratified date: 2022-09-07
    • Latest update: 2025-08-26

    Books

    Torgé, Cristina Joy

    Ageing and caring as couples with disabilities

    ISBN: 9789175194103

    LIBRIS-ID: 15975106

    URL: Link

    URL: Link

    URL: Link

    URL: Link

    Linköping, Linköping University, Department of Social and Welfare Studies : NISAL (National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later Life, vii, 82 s.

    Articles

    Anbäcken, E.-M., Almqvist, A.-L., Johansson, C.,; Kinugasa, K., Obata, M., Hyun, J.,; Lee, J., & Park, Y. J,

    Older adults and care: Reshaped family roles in societal change. A Comparative study of Japan, South Korea, and Sweden

    In P. N. Claster & S. L. Blair (Eds.), Aging and the Family: Understanding Changes in Structural and Relationship Dynamics. Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research, Volume 17, 1–38. Bingley, UK: Emerald,

    Anbäcken, E.-M., Fujii, M, & Minemoto, K.,

    Expressions of identity and self in daily life at a group home for older persons with dementia in Japan

    URL: Link

    Care Management Journals 2015. Vol. 16 ( 2), p 64-78. Springer Publishing Company,

    Forssell, E., Torres, S., Olaison, A.,

    Care managers' experiences of cross-cultural needs assessment meetings: the case of late-in-life immigrants

    URL: Link

    Ageing & Society, 35(3), 2013.,,

    Jegermalm, M., Wilinska, M., Ernsth Bravell, M.; Bülow, P., Bülow, P., & Torgé, C. J.,

    Filling the gaps? The role of voluntary organizations in supporting older people with severe mental illnesses

    Nordic social work research, 2020-07-02, Vol.10 (3), p.219-229,,

    Jegermalm, M., & Grassman Jeppson, E.,

    Helpful citizens and caring families: Patterns of informal help and caregiving in Sweden in a 17-year perspective

    Int J Soc Welfare, 21, 422-432., ,

    Jönson, H. & Harnett, T.,

    Introducing an Equal Rights Framework for Older Persons in Residential Care

    URL: Link

    Gerontologist, 56(5), 800–806,

    Nelson-Becker, H., Ai, A. L., Hopp, F. P., McCormick, T. R., Schlueter, J. O. and Camp, J. K.,

    Spirituality and Religion in End-of-Life Care Ethics: The Challenge of Interfaith and Cross-Generational Matters

    URL: Link

    British Journal of Social Work (2015) 45, p 104–119, ,

    Ohlin, E., & Dunér, A.,

    A matter of love and labour? Parents working as personal assistants for their adult disabled children

    URL: Link

    URL: Link

    Nordic Social Work Research, 2016, Vol. 6, No. 1, 38–52, ,

    Olaison, A,

    Processing older persons as clients in elderly care: A study of the micro-processes of care management practice

    Social Work in Health Care, 56(2), 78-98,

    Svanelöv, E.,

    An observation study of power practices and participation in group homes for people with intellectual disability

    URL: Link

    Disability & Society, 35(9), 1419-1440,

    Tschanz, C. & Staub, I.,

    Disability-policy models in European welfare regimes: comparing the distribution of social protection, labour- market integration and civil rights

    URL: Link

    Disability & Society, 32(8), 1199-1215,

    Williams, V., Tarleton, B., Heslop, P.; Porter, S., Sass, B., Blue, S.; Merchant, W., & Mason-Angelow, V.,

    Understanding disabling barriers: a fruitful partnership between Disability Studies and social practices?

    URL: Link

    Disability & Society, 33(2), 157-174,

    Reference Literature

    Fukushima, N., Adami, J., & Palme, M.,

    The Swedish Long-term Care System

    European Network of Economic Policy Research Institutes, ,

    Schneider, C.,

    Exploring disability: a sociological introduction

    Book review of: Barnes, C., & Mercer, G,

    Other materials

    Policy documents from The National Board of Health and Welfare within the area of ageing and disability

    Students´ own choice of additional articles

Objectives

The objective of the course is for students to acquire more profound knowledge of social support and care as an aspect of social work, in theory and in practice. From daily-life as well as life-course perspectives, ageing and disabilities are to be elucidated and problematized in a multidimensional approach. A further objective is to problematize the scope of action for professional and other parties involved in social support and care work.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

(knowledge and understanding)

  1. give proof of an enhanced understanding of how social support and care are provided in social work, by analyzing and problematizing research in the field
  2. give proof of an enhanced understanding of psycho-social and existential health and ill-health from a life-course perspective, based on the analysis of research within gerontological social work and disability studies
  3. synthesize how different factors, such as age, disabilities, gender, culture, religion and socio-economic status, influence the attitude to and the provision of social support and care

    (competence and skills)
  4. problematize and critically explore the living conditions, societal context and daily life of elderly people and people with disabilities who are in need of support and care
  5. analyze and problematize the social worker’s scope of action within social care
  6. describe, problematize and discuss public responsibility, as expressed in legislation, policies and interventions regarding social care, as well as the role of different public, private and volunteer providers

    (judgement and approach)
  7. critically evaluate how society and social work respond to social vulnerability in interaction with the elderly and people with disabilities
  8. show insight into the role of the life course and the fact that the need for social support and care changes over time in relation to different dimensions of life

Course content

  • theoretical perspectives on care and rights for the elderly and people with disabilities
  • cross-cultural and international perspectives on social support and care in social work, both on the institutional and the societal level
  • daily life, autonomy and participation from a life-course perspective
  • different forms of vulnerability in various contexts, e.g. family, school, working life, life as a pensioner or in institutionalized care environment, as well as the response from society and social work
  • existential and psycho-social needs; the importance of culture, religion and philosophy of life on the individual and group levels
  • the complexity of the welfare system and its institutional practices for the assessment of needs and the realization of interventions with social consequences for the elderly and people with disabilities
  • knowledge and scope of action within social work, with a focus on social support and care, in the public, private and volunteer sectors

Specific requirements

A completed bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to 180 credits within the fields of social work or equivalent. In addition Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English B/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish B/Swedish 3.

Examination

INL1, Hand-in assignment, 3 credits: individually written paper; learning objectives 1-4 and 8; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
INL2, Hand-in assignment, 3 credits: individually written paper in two parts; learning objectives 5-7; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
SEM1, Seminar, 1.5 credits: written and spoken group presentation; learning objectives 1-8; grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).

For a VG on the course as a whole, a VG is required on INL1 and INL2, as well as a G on SEM1. For further information, see the study guidelines.

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding disability study support, can request adaptions for the examination. It is the examiner who takes decisions on any adaptions, based on the certificate and other conditions.

Grade

Three-grade scale