‘Where do we come from and where are we going?’ A study about the transformation of knowledge related to long-term care

• Published in: Journal of health psychology Vol. 28; no. 13; pp. 1250 - 1263
• Main Authors: Castelo, Uzuri, Gil de Montes, Lorena, Larrañaga, Maider
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01.11.2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Caregivers; Caregivers - psychology; Family; Health care management; Humans; Innovations; Integrated care; Long term health care; Long-Term Care; Older people; Outsourcing; Relatives; Sociocultural factors; Transformation; care transition; cognitive polyphasia; long-term care; social representations
• ISSN: 1359-1053; 1461-7277
• DOI: 10.1177/13591053231171796

The care crisis manifests the tensions and profound changes which are taking place in contemporary long-term care systems, leading to new care views and modalities in society. Through 26 interviews conducted with caregivers, family members and elderly people with care needs, this study aims to make visible the transformation in the conceptions of care in the Basque Country. First, the results show the displacement of familiarist ideas and values. Second, we describe the daily management of the social and moral tensions associated with outsourcing and the meaning of care work. Third, the findings indicate the emergence of new perspectives on the modalities of care. The contribution of cognitive polyphasia towards analysing the management and integration of new knowledge associated with care in a specific socio-cultural context is discussed. Finally, we consider the applicability of our findings in terms of relevant solutions for care management and innovation in this field.