Three of Linnaeus University’s researchers receive SEK 19 million for research on quality of life of elderly

Anna Sandgren, director of Centre of Collaborative Palliative Care at Linnaeus University, receives SEK 8 million for the project Kronobergsmodellen – Samtal vid allvarlig sjukdom. The model is a structured way of working with the aim to offer dialogue to gain knowledge about requests and prioritisations of the patient and the patient’s family at serious illness.

The dialogue is carried out in a structured way with the aim to offer care based on the patient’s wishes and prioritisations. For instance, by asking “What’s important to you?” The healthcare staff receives training and support in order to be equipped to handle the strong emotions that may arise during the dialogues.

Model used in Sweden for the first time

“We are first in Sweden to introduce this model and we collaborate with the researchers in Boston who have developed the model, which we now expand from being physician-focused to focusing on team collaboration”, says associate professor Anna Sandgren, scientific director who runs Centre of Collaborative Palliative Care together with development manager Helene Reimertz, senior physician, Region Kronoberg.

Kronobergsmodellen is conducted within the frame of Centre of Collaborative Palliative Care and is a collaboration between Linnaeus University, Region Kronoberg and the municipalities in Kronoberg County.

Consequences of prostate cancer

Jesper Andreasson, associate professor at the Faculty of Social Sciences receives SEK 5.5 million for the project The Achilles’ Heel of Men. Research that deals with elderly men who are treated for prostate cancer and how the treatment affect their physical and social health and understanding of masculinity.

“Historically, research on prostate cancer has been dominated by natural sciences and medical perspectives, even though treatment and rehabilitation of prostate cancer affect the entire human being. Through our project, we hope to be able to contribute with insights into the consequences of prostate cancer for men’s health, well-being, sexuality, and gender identity. In addition, the results will contribute to further development of sociology and gender studies literature on masculinity”, says Jesper Andreasson.

The significance of choir singing for healthy ageing

The third project that receives funds from The Kamprad Family Foundation is “Choir Singing and Healthy Ageing: Efficacy and Underlying Neural Mechanisms”. László Harmat, associate professor at the Department of Psychology, has been granted SEK 5.5 million for research on the significance of choir singing for healthy ageing.

The project will study the effects of participation in choir singing, during ten months, on cognition and health in 60 people aged 65–75 years.

“Cultural activities, and musical activities in particular, are interesting in this context since they comprise many of the positive effects in a format that is cost-efficient, accessible, and appreciated by most people”, says research director László Harmat.

The Kamprad Family Foundation supports projects of high scientific quality that are characterised by that the results in a clear way will “benefit the many people”. This year, the board decided to increase the grant amount to Swedish elderly research on, among other things, medicines, reduced loneliness, pension, rehabilitation, sleep, accessibility at home, workout, welfare technology, family support, stroke, cardiopathy, and dementia.

Linnaeus University also takes part in three other research projects that receive funding from The Kamprad Family Foundation in 2021.

• Link to list of all research projects that have been granted funds from The Kamprad Family Foundation in 2021.