The experience of being family members of people with dementia during Covid-19

Much in our lives has changed as a result of the coronavirus. In this project, researchers in history and nursing will gather knowledge and experience from the ongoing pandemic with special focus on Sámi and reindeer husbandry, nursing homes and dementia care, and the consequences of the pandemic in the areas bordering Finland and Norway.

How can historical comparisons with previous pandemics and crises that have affected Norrbotten county in Sweden contribute to enhanced opportunities for human safety, crisis management and adaptation? The questions posed by the project are based on the key concepts of vulnerability, resilience, risk, concern, security, scientific uncertainty, human safety, health and well-being:

What were individuals’ experiences, actions and social mobilisation in different groups in relation to the pandemic, and what measures were taken by authorities and politicians, for example social distancing, border closures, restrictions on public gatherings and visits?

How can gender, minority and indigenous perspectives, lived experiences and first-person perspectives, together with the questioning of urban and functional norms, contribute to an inclusive view of human safety, crisis management and adaptation?

The project is interdisciplinary and supradisciplinary. This means, for example, that partners and stakeholders who are active outside of the academic community are seen as experts in their respective fields and are given an essential role in contributing perspectives and knowledge in the development of questions and analyses.

The project is being led by researchers in history at Luleå University of Technology.

Social issues to work with in the future

Our education is linked to the UN's 17 global goals for sustainable development. These are goals that you can get tools to work with in the future:

U.N's global goals: Good health and well-beingU.N's global goals: Gender equalityU.N's global goals: Reduced inequalities

About the project:

Contact:
Project group/collaborators:
  • Researchers in Nursing at Luleå University of Technology; Center for Multidisciplinary Studies on Racism (CEMFOR) and the Institute for Housing and Urban Research (IBF) at Uppsala University; Norrbotten Museum; Piteå Museum; Laponiatjuottjudus; the National Organisation Sáme Ätnam; and Sámi reindeer herders. Researchers at universities in Kobe, Japan; Tromsø, Norway; Alberta, Canada; and Michigan, USA, contribute specific expertise and international comparisons.
Time period: 2020-2023
Research area: Department of Health Care Sciences - Research in the field of healthcare science
Project status: Ongoing
Financier: The Swedish Research Council, Formas

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Last updated:
24 April 2023