Paradoxical constructions in Danish elderly care

Transformations take place in Danish elderly care due to neo-liberal modernization processes which imply a conception of human beings as rational and autonomous while simultaneously increasing the level of governance and control. Inspired by trends in gerontology these transformations form a radical change in the understanding of the relationships between those in need of support and the professionals. The critical questions raise concern as to where this leaves the elderly in need of care, the care workers, and the ideas of a welfare state responsible for those who cannot care for themselves. This article explores these questions drawing on care ethics and theory of recognition. It presents the new conception of the elderly and illustrates, through analysis of empirical data from activity centres, how the transformations pose challenges to care workers and are reflected as different logics which collide when they talk about the elderly and in the daily interactions.