Caring for elderly substance users: Challenges, dilemmas and recommendations

Aim: To investigate the challenges and barriers in Danish care professionals’ work in relation to elderly citizens who use substances. Method: The study draws on data from a “going along” study of care professionals’ encounters with citizens as well as interviews with professionals. This was conducted in two smaller, rural municipalities in Denmark. Findings: Providing adequate care for elderly citizens who use substances can be highly challenging. This is due to a multitude of factors, especially (1) the complexity of their health conditions, (2) contradictory logics of care (autonomy vs. healthy living), (3) citizens often unpredictable behaviours, (4) lack of cooperation between welfare systems and, not least, (5) lack of knowledge and education among healthcare professionals. Conclusions: There is a need for more specialised procedures locally, the appointment of local “experts”, better cooperation between sectors and easier accessible training and information on the group on a national level.