The aim of this study was to illuminate the meaning of older people’s dependence on caregivers’ help, and of their opportunity to make independent decisions.

Background. Throughout the world, the older population is growing, and in Sweden, the system of care for older people is currently undergoing change. Older people in the need of care are expected to live at home for as long as possible.

Design.A qualitative and life world approach was used.

Methods. Audio-taped interviews were conducted with twelve older persons living at home, dependent on daily municipal home help service. A phenomenological hermeneutic method was utilised to disclose the meanings of lived experiences.

Finding. The findings revealed three themes : being facilitated to make one’s own decisions, being hindered from making one’s own decisions, struggling for vs. resigning oneself to losing the opportunity to make one’s own decisions.

The comprehensive understanding revealed that as older people become more dependent on caregivers’ help, their opportunity to self-determine is challenged and this is stressful for them.

Conclusion. The older persons assess their opportunity to self-determine differently, depending on who they are as a person. The caregivers need an awareness of this, and further research is needed to gain knowledge and understanding of how caregivers can improve the way they support and enhance older people’s opportunity to decide for themselves.

Implications for practice. The findings revealed older persons need to exercise more self-determination and caregivers’ need for knowledge to enable this. Further, it indicates a move towards a person-centred approach to focus on persons as individuals and see them as interdependent. The findings contribute to improvements in similar contexts worldwide.