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. 2022 Jan;30(1):27-57.
doi: 10.1111/hsc.13413. Epub 2021 May 14.

A systematic scoping review of community-based interventions for the prevention of mental ill-health and the promotion of mental health in older adults in the UK

Caroline Lee  1 , Isla Kuhn  2 , Michael McGrath  3 , Olivia Remes  1 , Andy Cowan  1 , Fiona Duncan  4 , Cleo Baskin  5 , Emily J Oliver  4 , David P J Osborn  3 , Jennifer Dykxhoorn  3   5 , Eileen Kaner  6 , Kate Walters  5 , James Kirkbride  3 , Shamini Gnani  5 , Louise Lafortune  1 ; NIHR SPHR Public Mental Health Programme
Affiliations

A systematic scoping review of community-based interventions for the prevention of mental ill-health and the promotion of mental health in older adults in the UK

Caroline Lee et al. Health Soc Care Community. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Mental health concerns in older adults are common, with increasing age-related risks to physical health, mobility and social isolation. Community-based approaches are a key focus of public health strategy in the UK, and may reduce the impact of these risks, protecting mental health and promoting wellbeing. We conducted a review of UK community-based interventions to understand the types of intervention studied and mental health/wellbeing impacts reported.

Method: We conducted a scoping review of the literature, systematically searching six electronic databases (2000-2020) to identify academic studies of any non-clinical community intervention to improve mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older adults. Data were extracted, grouped by population targeted, intervention type, and outcomes reported, and synthesised according to a framework categorising community actions targeting older adults.

Results: In total, 1,131 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and 54 included in the final synthesis. Example interventions included: link workers; telephone helplines; befriending; digital support services; group social activities. These were grouped into: connector services, gateway services/approaches, direct interventions and systems approaches. These interventions aimed to address key risk factors: loneliness, social isolation, being a caregiver and living with long-term health conditions. Outcome measurement varied greatly, confounding strong evidence in favour of particular intervention types.

Conclusion: The literature is wide-ranging in focus and methodology. Greater specificity and consistency in outcome measurement are required to evidence effectiveness - no single category of intervention yet stands out as 'promising'. More robust evidence on the active components of interventions to promote older adult's mental health is required.

Keywords: community interventions; older age; public mental health.

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References

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