Everyday influence - democracy when health and social care are part of everyday life

This article contributes to ongoing discussions about frailty and vulnerability in critical gerontology by asserting that possibilities to engage and enact influence in everyday life situations is a crucial dimension of democracy in later life. We discuss how democracy in this sense can be threatened for older persons for whom health and social care services are needed, following from the labelling practices of frailty and the non-recognition of the social processes that set capabilities in motion. We utilise three examples grounded in research with older persons in their home environment in a Swedish context. The examples show how older people use creative, emotional, practical and social resources to integrate activities in a manner that address their needs and capabilities, and influence the situations in direction towards how and when to be engaged in everyday activities. Based on a discussion of the examples, we argue that health and social care services that provide and build social infrastructures need to recognise the potential concurrency of interdependency, vulnerability and agency within older persons' local everyday practices. This to address capabilities and enable concrete expression of democracy in everyday situations. Overall, we suggest that conceptual and methodological shifts in research, as well as policy and practice, are needed to bring democratic processes forward through the relational and situated aspects of resources, agency and influence.

Automated summary

This article discusses the importance of engagement and influence in everyday life situations for older persons, highlighting the threat to democracy when frailty is labeled and the social processes that affect capabilities are not recognized. Through examples, the article shows how older people use various resources to address their needs and capabilities, and influence their engagement in daily activities. The authors argue that health and social care services should recognize the interdependency, vulnerability, and agency within older persons' local practices to enable democratic expression. Conceptual and methodological shifts are needed in research, policy, and practice to promote democratic processes.