Värdighet i offentliga skrifter som berör äldreomsorg

Sammanfattning: SUMMARY   Aim: Dignity is a concept that is very central in the care of elderly in Sweden. Many studies have tried to define dignity but very few have focused on the deeper meaning of dignity. The aim of this study was to explore a deeper understanding of dignity by looking at the public documents which are the foundation of the national values of dignity in elderly care.   Methods: This study has used a qualitative approach while analyzing the documents. The documents were chosen through a strategic selection which resulted in five public documents, all of them related to dignity in some way. An own interpretation of discourse analysis was used as the method to analyze the empiric material. When studying the results we have weighed the analysis against a theory we believed best suited to the aim of the study.   Results: The study resulted in three types of themes. The first theme that was found showed that dignity could be constructed through a person’s identity whilst another showed a view on dignity as a human right. The third construed dignity in the interactions between the people who work with elderly and the elderly. In the discussion we conclude that the result may provide a deeper understanding of the view on dignity that is presented in the empiricism.   Keywords: Social constructionsim, dignity, elderly care