For the research regarding reciprocity in elderly care we will be using quantitative data produced in a longitudinal research project entitled GOAL (Good Ageing in Lahti Region; Ikihyvä). This is a Finnish research project on ageing and well-being.

The 10-year cohort follow-up study and the data collection are meant to improve the health and well-being of the aging population. The partners for this project include The University of Helsinki (Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education and Dept. of Social Research), The National Institute for Health and Welfare, UKK Institute for Health Promotion, Lahti University of Applied Sciences (School of Social and Health Care) and Päijät-Häme Hospital District and its 15 municipalities.

The RePro team has access to the GOAL data which consists of assessments made in 2002, 2005 and 2008 and possible from 2012. The three age cohorts (N=2815) represent individuals born in 1926—30, 1936—40 and 1946—50 living in the Päijät-Häme Region. The baseline assessment included two extensive questionnaires (covering socio-economic background, health status, functional ability, use of health services, quality of life, lifestyle, and health-related cognitions), as well as clinical measures (weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure) and laboratory tests (lipids, glucose, insulin). (Fogelholm 2009, 9; Haapola 2009, 17, 11—14).

The data used in this subproject does not contain personal information regarding the research subjects. The researchers are committed to using the material ethically. The data focuses on interaction between caregivers and caretakers.

We will be analysing the well-being of the study subjects and forms of  reciprocity in their circumstances. If caregivers are helping others, do they have the feeling that they are also being helped? Is there a lack of reciprocity or experiences of non-reciprocity? We will also investigate gender differences and similarities as they relate to the caregiver’s circumstances.