Studenters syn på äldre och sin egen tillvaro som äldre

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.