Norwegian Nursing Home—A Care Facility or a Home?

Abstract

This article focuses on the function of Norwegian nursing homes. A brief history of institutionali-sation of older people in Norway is presented. An expressed task for Norwegian nursing homes is active treatment, and even though the "Guarantee of dignity" was implemented from January 2011, there are proofs that the rights of the residents are constantly violated. Another task for Norwe-gian nursing homes is to be home for the residents. This double function of the nursing home, being both a care facility and a home is discussed, and whether the nursing homes succeed in fulfilling these tasks or not is questioned. It is also questioned if Goffman's descriptions of total institutions are applicable on nursing homes of today.