My research focuses on older people, primarily persons who receive care through the health and social care services, as well as individuals with dementia and their family. The research includes descriptive studies and intervention studies, both quantitative and qualitative. The intervention studies are mostly linked to the use of welfare technology. 

I am a registered nurse, and I obtained my PhD from Lund University in 2008 through defending my thesis “Older people’s public health care and social services, Functional ability, health complaints, agreement in needs assessment and care satisfaction” The research involved in the thesis work has been conducted in the longitudinal study entitled the Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care (SNAC)  

After obtained my PhD, I was engaged as a research assistant and assistant project manager in the European project “Improving Health Services for European Citizens with Dementia” (RightTimePlaceCare). Lund University was a partner in the project, which aimed to improve health and social care within the European community for those with dementia. Other countries involved were Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Finland, Estonia, France and Spain. The project described and analysed the European health and social care systems, support systems for informal care, and communication between different healthcare organisations. The project encompassed the care chain from the early phase of dementia to the care administered at end of life. Part of the project investigated factors that influence the institutionalisation of persons with dementia. The living conditions for patients with dementia and their relatives were investigated in the context of care provided in the home and in a nursing home. Economic aspects was also examined. 
Read more about the project RightTimePlaceCare. 

In connection with this project, I acted as supervisor for two doctoral students. I was the principal supervisor for Christina Bökberg in the PhD project “Professional care and services at home for older persons with dementia in the southern part of Sweden and in Europe”, where she defended her thesis at Lund University in 2017. I was also an assistant supervisor for Connie Lethin in the PhD project “Informal caregivers to older persons with dementia in eight European countries. Experiences, support, well-being and burden”, which she defended at Lund University in 2016. 

During 2014 and 2015, I was the principal investigator (PI) on the project “Living with dementia, care and care systems”, which was financed by the Kamprad Family Foundation. The project was collaboration between the Department of Health Sciences at the Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, and the Department of Social Work at Linnaeus University in Växjö. Sub-projects in the European study “RightTimePlaceCare” formed a basis for the project. Nine municipalities in Småland were involved regarding municipal health and social care, and Kronoberg County Council in relation to medical health  care, available to persons with dementia and their family. An analysis of the care chain was carried out in the 9 municipalities and Kronoberg County Council and covered the range of care offered, as well as the accessibility and utilisation of this care and the competence of the healthcare professionals involved. In addition, interviews relating to living conditions were conducted with persons with dementia who lived at home and those living in nursing homes, as well as with their family. Analysis and publication of the data gathered is under way. 

I served as research leader for the study “Colostrum-based nutrition for older people; nutrition and the immune system” (Colostrumbaserad näring till äldre personer; nutrition och immunförsvar) at the Department of Health Sciences, Lund University. The aim of the study was to investigate patients’ nutritional status and immune system when administering ColoPlus IMCARE (colostrum-based nutritional product) to older people at risk of malnutrition in nursing homes. The study ran between 2015 and 2017. Scientific publications are planned based on data from the study.  

Between 2016 and 2018, I participated in the project “Physical activity from a lifespan perspective - an action study” at the School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University. The aim of the project was to collaborate with preschools, compulsory schools and sports associations to obtain knowledge on experiences of physical activity and the need for physical activity among children and the elderly, with the goal of establishing common departure points for the groups concerning physical activity. The research project was conducted as a study with participatory action research. The design was explorative and adhered to the cyclical process of action research; identify, plan action, implement action, and reflect in order to obtain new knowledge that can be implemented in operations. 

From 2017 to 2019, I was the principal investigator (PI) for the project “Ethical aspects, opportunities and challenges in the introduction and use of welfare technology within the social services administration” at the School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University. The project originated in a collaborative project funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), Halmstad University, Region Halland and the Halland municipalities, entitled “HICube  Competent Care” The purpose of the study was to describe ethical aspects, and to identify opportunities and challenges that may arise in the introduction and use of welfare technology for care recipients/users within the areas of the social services administration. The study has a descriptive design derived from Grounded Theory (GT) and was based on a quantitative cross-sectional study involving questionnaires, as well as a qualitative element involving focus group interviews and observations. Staff within the social services administration’s area answered questionnaires and participated in focus group interviews that addressed ethical aspects in the implementation and use of welfare technology. Observations were carried out in assisted living facilities and day centres for persons with disabilities. One report and one article have been published, and another article has been submitted for publication. 

Supervisor for three doctoral students at Halmstad University: 

Eva Hjort Telhede, PhD project “Older people with sleeping problems in nursing homes try a weighted blanket, an intervention study” 

Tania Håkansson, Licentiate project “The experience of living with dementia as conveyed by persons with early onset dementia and their relatives” 

Caroline Skantz, Licentiate project “Healthy weight development in children aged 8 and 10.  Experiences of information provision regarding children’s growth data between school nurses and parents.”