The saviour of the welfare state: local politicians’ views on welfare technology for older people and their carers in Sweden

This article examines local politicians’ assumptions and perceptions regarding welfare technology for older people and their carers. Carers were discursively constructed as merely part of the older person’s social sphere, in stark contrast to the realities of the caring situations facing many carers. Older people who remain in their homes, maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle, were discursively constructed as ideal citizens. We argue that such a prevailing discourse leads to the risk of older people with extensive care needs becoming sidelined. Further, it leaves little room to consider carers’ needs and preferences for support.