The Role of Pensioner Councils in Regional Healthcare Policy: A Holistic Perspective

Abstract

To ensure older individuals actively engage in healthcare service development and policymaking, it is crucial to counteract declining social and civic participation with age. It is also necessary to clarify the potential and impact of participatory activities. This study examines citizen participation among older adults in Swedish health policy development. Using Thurston et al.‘s (2005) holistic framework, the study analyzes pensioner councils (PCs) in politically governed healthcare regions. Through 13 interviews and six years of PC meeting minutes, findings from a deductive content analysis suggest that PCs build trust and foster deeper dialogues between older adults and politicians, due to their long-term nature. A trusting relationship between citizens and decision-makers may benefit society at large by enhancing the legitimacy of policy decisions. Although achieving direct policy impact is challenging, these councils serve vital participatory and deliberative democratic functions, contributing to a stronger policy community and increased transparency in the democratic process. This study highlights the complexities of assessing PCs solely based on policy influence and immediately evident outcomes, emphasizing their role in promoting democratic values, while also drawing attention to the tension between participatory and representative democracy.