<p>The overall purpose with this study was to examine the influence elderly people have over their granted home help. Specifically, the aim was to examine in what extent the image of the elderly as a <em>unique individual</em> emerges in the plans where the home help is described [“genomförandeplaner”]. A plan which is personally designed is used as an indicator of personal influence. A text analysis inspired by Michel Foucault’s discourse concept, was carried out and the study adopts the concepts <em>standardization</em> and <em>categorization</em> as well as the theory of “Sense of coherence”. The result showed that the content of the plans mainly lacks a personal imprint, which is to be understood as a form of standardization. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the content that is excluded and included creates an image of the elderly as someone who is not a unique individual. This study highlights the value of establishing more salutogenic infused plans. Also other studies, emphasize that elderly in need of care wants to be able to predict and influence the help they receive, which in turn is a condition for the elderly to achieve a Sense of coherence.</p>

The overall purpose with this study was to examine the influence elderly people have over their granted home help. Specifically, the aim was to examine in what extent the image of the elderly as a unique individual emerges in the plans where the home help is described [“genomförandeplaner”]. A plan which is personally designed is used as an indicator of personal influence. A text analysis inspired by Michel Foucault’s discourse concept, was carried out and the study adopts the concepts standardization and categorization as well as the theory of “Sense of coherence”. The result showed that the content of the plans mainly lacks a personal imprint, which is to be understood as a form of standardization. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the content that is excluded and included creates an image of the elderly as someone who is not a unique individual. This study highlights the value of establishing more salutogenic infused plans. Also other studies, emphasize that elderly in need of care wants to be able to predict and influence the help they receive, which in turn is a condition for the elderly to achieve a Sense of coherence.