Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review
Abstract Purpose To address the care needs of older adults, it is important to identify and understand the forms of care support older adults received. This systematic review aims to examine the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care and the factors that influenced their n...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Geriatrics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04190-9 |
| _version_ | 1797556586135158784 |
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| author | Iris Szu-Szu Ho Kris McGill Stephen Malden Cara Wilson Caroline Pearce Eileen Kaner John Vines Navneet Aujla Sue Lewis Valerio Restocchi Alan Marshall Bruce Guthrie |
| author_facet | Iris Szu-Szu Ho Kris McGill Stephen Malden Cara Wilson Caroline Pearce Eileen Kaner John Vines Navneet Aujla Sue Lewis Valerio Restocchi Alan Marshall Bruce Guthrie |
| author_sort | Iris Szu-Szu Ho |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose To address the care needs of older adults, it is important to identify and understand the forms of care support older adults received. This systematic review aims to examine the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care and the factors that influenced their networks. Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching six databases from inception to January 31, 2023. The review included primary studies focusing on older adults receiving long-term care, encompassing both informal and formal care. To assess the risk of bias in the included studies, validated appraisal tools specifically designed for different study types were utilized. Network analysis was employed to identify the grouping of study concepts, which subsequently formed the foundation for describing themes through narrative synthesis. Results We identified 121 studies relating to the formal and informal care of older adults’ networks. A variety of social ties were examined by included studies. The most commonly examined sources of care support were family members (such as children and spouses) and friends. Several factors were consistently reported to influence the provision of informal care, including the intensity of networks, reciprocity, and geographical proximity. In terms of formal care utilization, older age and poor health status were found to be associated with increased use of healthcare services. Additionally, physical limitations and cognitive impairment were identified as factors contributing to decreased social engagement. Conclusion This review found that older people were embedded within a diverse network. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of recognizing and incorporating the diversity of social networks in care plans and policies to enhance the effectiveness of interventions and improve the overall well-being of older adults. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:03:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-79ddd15ac21045d4944827aa586b2b96 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2318 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:03:59Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Geriatrics |
| spelling | doaj.art-79ddd15ac21045d4944827aa586b2b962023-11-20T10:51:48ZengBMCBMC Geriatrics1471-23182023-08-0123111510.1186/s12877-023-04190-9Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic reviewIris Szu-Szu Ho0Kris McGill1Stephen Malden2Cara Wilson3Caroline Pearce4Eileen Kaner5John Vines6Navneet Aujla7Sue Lewis8Valerio Restocchi9Alan Marshall10Bruce Guthrie11Advanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghSchool of Informatics, University of Edinburgh (Informatics ForumAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghSchool of Informatics, University of Edinburgh (Informatics ForumSchool of Social and Political Science, University of EdinburghAdvanced Care Research Centre, Usher Institute, University of EdinburghAbstract Purpose To address the care needs of older adults, it is important to identify and understand the forms of care support older adults received. This systematic review aims to examine the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care and the factors that influenced their networks. Methods A systematic review was conducted by searching six databases from inception to January 31, 2023. The review included primary studies focusing on older adults receiving long-term care, encompassing both informal and formal care. To assess the risk of bias in the included studies, validated appraisal tools specifically designed for different study types were utilized. Network analysis was employed to identify the grouping of study concepts, which subsequently formed the foundation for describing themes through narrative synthesis. Results We identified 121 studies relating to the formal and informal care of older adults’ networks. A variety of social ties were examined by included studies. The most commonly examined sources of care support were family members (such as children and spouses) and friends. Several factors were consistently reported to influence the provision of informal care, including the intensity of networks, reciprocity, and geographical proximity. In terms of formal care utilization, older age and poor health status were found to be associated with increased use of healthcare services. Additionally, physical limitations and cognitive impairment were identified as factors contributing to decreased social engagement. Conclusion This review found that older people were embedded within a diverse network. The findings of this review emphasize the importance of recognizing and incorporating the diversity of social networks in care plans and policies to enhance the effectiveness of interventions and improve the overall well-being of older adults.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04190-9Older adultsSocial networksInformal careFormal careHealthy aging |
| spellingShingle | Iris Szu-Szu Ho Kris McGill Stephen Malden Cara Wilson Caroline Pearce Eileen Kaner John Vines Navneet Aujla Sue Lewis Valerio Restocchi Alan Marshall Bruce Guthrie Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review BMC Geriatrics Older adults Social networks Informal care Formal care Healthy aging |
| title | Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review |
| title_full | Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review |
| title_short | Examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care: a systematic review |
| title_sort | examining the social networks of older adults receiving informal or formal care a systematic review |
| topic | Older adults Social networks Informal care Formal care Healthy aging |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04190-9 |
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