QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF HOME HELP SERVICES IN SWEDEN AND CANADA - A CONSUMER VIEW

The ranking pattern of quality attributes among the respondents of the sample from Canada was very different from those comprising the sampl e from Sweden. Both samples were drawn from city populations and some similarities were expected. In Sweden, continuity and personal suitabi lity (personal qualities and professional competence) were the most im portant general quality attributes followed by personal relationship, times/availability and influence. The Canadian sample ranked personal suitability and the time/availability variables as the most important quality attributes followed by influence, continuity and personal rela tionship. Background factors linked to each sample appeared to affect the ranking pattern. In the Swedish sample, the ranking pattern was af fected mainly by the same independent background variable, while in th e Canadian sample the ranking pattern was a little more diversified. T here were also differences in the satisfaction arising from home help services received by the two samples. The Swedish sample generally exp erienced a higher level of satisfaction for individual attributes of h ome help, but overall satisfaction with the home helper and the home s ervices were similar, with both groups being ''rather to very satisfie d''. Good subjective health in the Swedish group was significantly rel ated to positive overall judgment of the home help. In the Canadian po pulation high age and low charge for the home help services were signi ficantly related to positive evaluation of the home help. The policy i mplications of the results for the future are discussed.