Models of Care for Older People: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: International recognition of the increasing importance of care for older people has seen growing interest in models of care for older people. Yet there is limited information about the scope and breadth of models of care for older people. This article clarifies what is known about models of care for older people by summarizing relevant publications, describing the models depicted in these publications, and synthesizing the outcomes and impact presented in the publications.

Method: A scoping review was conducted that involved searching multiple databases to identify relevant publications, published in English, which presented a model of care for older people-specifically, non-Indigenous people aged ≥ 65 years and/or Indigenous people aged ≥ 50 years; and included evidence, broadly defined, about the utility or otherwise of the model. Commentaries, narrative letters, editorials, and reviews were excluded.

Results: From 21,767 publications, 276 were deemed relevant. From these, four key findings are apparent. First, models of care for older people are understood in disparate ways and are typically devoid of clear stepwise guidance. Second, most of the publications reported on a multidisciplinary approach. Third, they generally failed to involve carers. Fourth, very few publications reported on studies conducted in a rural area, and none involved Indigenous people.

Conclusion: Given the heterogeneity and breadth of models of care for older people, further research is needed to establish: a definition of a model of care for older people; reporting standards; the factors that help or hinder their effectiveness; how to ensure carer involvement; and how to adapt models of care for older people for priority populations.

Keywords: care for older people; model of care; scoping review.

FIGURE 1

PRISMA flowchart of screening and selection [23].

FIGURE 2

Publications on models of care for older people by year (n = 276).

FIGURE 3

Publications on models of care for older people by nation (n = 276).