What Do Sweden's Over-60-Year-Olds Think About Growing Old in Sweden?

A happy woman in Stockholm’s archipelago. Photo by Sara Brolin.

Yesterday, the world learned that Sweden is the best country in the world to grow old in. It’s the charity Global Age Watch that has carried out the first ever global survey of its kind, which covers 89 per cent of the world’s over-60s.

There are plenty of numbers documented in the report. So because I’m pretty much a mathematical illiterate (how do they even make these surveys?), and I heard about the 84-year-old Swedish woman who recently committed suicide because she was allegedly denied to live in an old folks home, I called up some of Sweden’s over-60-year-olds to find out what the people concerned really think about their situation.

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VICE: Hi Gunilla! A recent survey says that Sweden is the best place in the world for people over 60.
Gunilla, 60: I think that’s right, actually.

OK. What’s the best part of growing old in Sweden?
I think that has to do with what you’ve accomplished for yourself. Unfortunately I think it’s a matter of what you’ve been working with and how much you’ve managed to save. I’ve had the opportunity to make sure that it’s going to be alright, but I don’t think that’s the way for everyone. I think it’s good as long as you feel that you have some kind of security.

So what do you think is the worst part of growing old in Sweden?
If things continue the way they are right now, it really doesn’t feel any good at all to grow old and get in a position where you need help. Just look at the current elderly care! I think that’s pretty frightening. My older mother is not in need of care just yet, but if the day comes, I wont feel very good about it at all.

Bärnt, 70: I’m definitely one of those happy guys. But I have a bad heart so physically I’m not super safe, but psychologically, yes, absolutely!

Have you ever considered moving to another country and grow old there?
Nope.

Why not?
I’ve always been pretty sceptical about travelling abroad because I think I will get lost. I have no sense of orientation and I can’t speak English.

Fair enough. What’s the best part with growing old in Sweden?
If you grow really old, like 100 years old, it’s pretty certain that you won’t be exposed to peer pressure from people of the same age as you. There won’t be anyone of your age to tell you what to do.

Right. What’s the worst part about growing old in Sweden?
If you end up at an old folks home, the probability that your entire state pension will disappear is very high. I’ve recently learned that it’s very expensive to live in one of those places. I don’t think that’s very fair. But if you’re very old and don’t feel like you don’t need any extra cash, then maybe that’s alright since food and rent are included. But I’m pretty worried about ending up at one of those homes.

As an elderly person living in Sweden, do you feel happy and secure for the future?
Yes I do. I mean I’ve gone through some pretty rough health issues in the past–brain, heart and cancer–but I’ve always said, “Oh well, that’s interesting. Let’s see how we shall overcome this now.” And it has gone well so far. It’s fun that you get to experience those kind of things while you’re alive. Doctors think I’m a pretty positive guy.

I can see why.

Kerstin with her grandchild, Emma.

VICE: Do you feel that you have a good life as a senior citizen in Sweden?
Kerstin, 79: Yes. Definitely.

What’s so good about it?
I have the ability and time to engage with my hobbies. I have the time to see my grandchildren and I can do whatever I want. However, ever since my husband past away, it can get lonely. But then I take my car and drive away and do something I think is fun to do, and meet with other seniors.

Do you think it’s because of the Swedish state that you have a good life?
It’s up to myself to make sure that I have a good situation. If I want to do something fun, then I will have to do it. And that’s up to me only. There’s no one around to tell me what to do and when I should do it. That wouldn’t be nice at all. If you’re lonely, you’re lonely, and then you’ll have to do what’s best for you on your own.

Are you worried about anything for the future?
No. I don’t look at it that way. When it’s time to die, then it’s time to die. I take each day as it comes, and life the way it is.

Do you have any experiences of Swedish elderly care?
I’m part of something called PRO, so we have loads of activities we do together. We play bingo and things like that. Where I live, we have a great home for the elderly, so I go there and visit people some times.

So you only have good experiences of getting older, including Swedish care for the elderly?
Yes. However, a couple of years ago I had a foot-surgery. I had to have health care for the elderly in my home because I was unable to walk. I felt that I needed to be well again as soon as possible because I needed to get rid of having to do things at certain hours, and shower when they thought I should shower. I want to be free. I don’t want that other people tell me what to do and what time I should do a certain thing. I want to be independent.

VICE: Hey Hasse! Apparently people over 60 years old in Sweden are the happiest in the world.
Hasse, 66: I think that can be accurate. I think a lot of people are having a pretty good life in Sweden.

Are you one of them?
I’m having a great time!

Have you ever fantasised about growing old in another country?
Yes, but not full-time. Only during the winter months.

Where would that be?
Somewhere warm. Not too warm, so maybe around the Mediterranean.

That makes sense. What are you looking forward to the most about growing even older?
To keep my health in a good shape, to be able to move around and travel. That’s what I’m looking forward to I guess.

Do you think that the Swedish state gives you the opportunities to do that?
I don’t know if it’s a very good idea to involve them. I would only be able to travel to Säffle [in the north of Sweden] if I was to rely only on state pension. I need my own saved money if I want to be able to do what I want and travel internationally.

OK. Is there anything you are worried about with growing old in Sweden?
To end up at a home for the elderly, and loose my ability to walk. I don’t want to become some kind of vegetable.

If that would happen–fingers crossed it won’t–will you feel safe within the Swedish elderly care?
No, I really don’t think so. If I am to go after what I read and hear about, then no way. However, I wouldn’t feel safe anywhere in the world in that case.

Kerstin and the author.

VICE: Hi mum, a global survey says that Swedish over-60s are the happiest in the world. Do you think that’s the way it is?
Kerstin, 67: I think that depends on where in Sweden you live and on what conditions, such as health and money.

OK. This report says that it’s better to grow old in Sweden than anywhere else in the world, both in terms of healthcare, transport, money, general life conditions.
I think that’s the way it is.

Are you looking forward to grow even older in Sweden?
Yes, but only if improvements are made within the care for the elderly.

How can it be improved?
I think that work with the elderly should be considered as a better job than it currently is, and that people working within elderly care get better paid and better working terms. I think Sweden needs more people who want to work with the elderly, so that you feel like you will have someone until the very end.

As a senior in Sweden, are you content?
Yes, I think so.

Have you ever considered growing old in another country?
No, never. I like it here.

OK. What’s the best part with growing old in Sweden?
I think that people generally have a good quality of life in Sweden, regardless of age.

What’s the worst part with growing old in Sweden?
If I need special help or care, it might not be that easy to get. I mean you read the papers every day about old people not being properly taken care of. I think that a lot of old people are suffering from loneliness, so we need to work on getting more people available for them!

That makes sense. Thanks!