The care of the old in Sweden and worldwide is developing towards an “aging in place.” Older people in Sweden are expected to remain in their own homes supported by municipal home help services. This development has entailed that older people’s need of support as well professional carers workload has increased. The older persons need of support is assessed by care managers, and research shows that they are in an exposed position when applying and often do not have their preferences met. In addition research also shows professional carers’ difficulties in the care of the old and their need for support. The suggestion is a relational perspective in the care of the old to promote older persons’ autonomy due to their increased dependency. Up until now there has been little research into older peoples’ experiences of autonomy in municipal home help services. This thesis was therefore considered important to enhance knowledge and understanding of older persons’ and their professional carers’ lived experiences in everyday life. The overall aim of this thesis was to develop knowledge of older persons’ opportunities to make independent decisions and to consider how professional carers can help them to improve their independence. This thesis compromise four studies (I-IV) and has a qualitative and a live world approach. In order to deepen the understanding of the meaning of older persons’ and professional carers’ experiences they were followed over time. Interviews have been conducted with older persons and professional carers before, during and after the professional carers participated in an educational programme. Data was analysed I-IV with a phenomenological hermeneutic method. The aim of study I was to illuminate the meaning of older persons’ dependence on caregivers’ help and of their opportunity to make independent decisions. The findings reveal that they are either struggling to make independent decisions or resigning themselves to not being able to do so. The aim of study II was to illuminate the meaning of ...