7: Professional preparedness for supporting older transgender adults when working in social services in Sweden

Author:
Sofia Smolle
Publication Date:
19 Jul 2024
Pages:
120–133
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51952/9781447370048.ch007
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Swedish research has shown that older trans adults experience fears of becoming recipients of care as they grow older. Research also indicates fears among caregivers in the form of professional insecurities when discussing future care for older trans adults. The research is however limited in this area. Thus the purpose of this study is to give examples of issues such as professional prerequisites and insecurities from the perspectives of social workers. The chapter focuses in particular on professional preparedness for supporting older trans adults among social workers in the municipal social services in Sweden. The results of this study show that social workers have some professional preparedness; however, they also lack knowledge about certain aspects of older trans people’s lives, and a number of respondents expressed insecurities around the risk of causing offence through their choice of language. By implementing norm-critical strategies, social workers could become better prepared professionally to challenge cisnormativity and provide trans-affirmative support.

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