Grey Zones and Boundaries: Service Pathways and Division of Labour in Gerontological Social Work (Katve-project)

The research project is implemented as a collaboration between two research organizations: the Departments of Social Work at the University of Jyväskylä and Tampere University. In this project, we examine the service pathways of older adults, those aged over 65, into gerontological social work. We investigate the transitions and routes through which a smooth service pathway to gerontological social work is formed, and the rights of older adults are realized. In addition, the project examines the division of labour between different professionals along the service pathway, as well as the forms of collaboration involved in constructing that pathway. Through analyzing service pathways and professional divisions of labour, we also explore the conditions under which gerontological social work operates and its position within the service system. Previous studies (e.g. IPO-project 2024–2025) have shown that the role of gerontological social work is at times invisible and unclear.

A central focus of our project is the examination of the boundaries involved in the construction of the service pathway, as well as the potential grey zones connected to it. This raises the question of whether gerontological social work itself has shifted further into the margins in the transition to the wellbeing services counties, how gerontological social workers perceive their position within the service pathway for older people, and how they view their opportunities for action. Grey zones refer to situations in which an older person in need of support may fall outside professional or legal scrutiny, be diverted from the service pathway or be directed onto an inappropriate route. We identify such grey zones in access to services within the wellbeing services counties and joint municipal authorities.

The project involves the Wellbeing Services Counties of Central Finland, Pirkanmaa and Kanta-Häme, as well as Tampere University Hospital (TAYS) and Sairaala Nova. The diaconal work of the parishes of Jyväskylä and Hämeenlinna–Vanaja also participate in the project.

The research project is led by Professor Heli Valokivi from the University of Jyväskylä and Professor Laura Kalliomaa-Puha from Tampere University. From the Wellbeing Services County of Central Finland, the project includes Senior Social Worker/Project Researcher Taina Miettinen. The Jyväskylä team is further strengthened by Senior Researcher Paula Vasara, Postdoctoral Researcher Hilla Kiuru, Project Researcher Andrea Lorenz-Wende, Doctoral Researcher Sini Tiihonen and Research Assistant Henna Uimonen from University of Jyväskylä. The project includes researchers Tyyne Ylinen and Satu Ylinen from Tampere University.