How Living in Residential Care Affects Older People's Mental Health: A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract:
Background: In the UK, residential care facilities are in demand, and their importance to the healthcare system is unquestionable. Moreover, despite how in-demand these residential facilities are, the impact on elders is yet to be expansively researched and reported, and thus, these care homes are a living arrangement that is regarded as both complex and multifaceted. The study aims to analyse existing primary research evidence on residential care and its impact on older people and to report a summary and critical appraisal of the research findings.
Methods: The research used a systematic literature review (SLR) design. The researchers searched 5 electronic databases (PubMed Central, PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus, Embase and BMC Geriatrics) Based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis standard (PRISMA). The qualitative synthesis involved extracting data, evaluating bias risk using a validated guideline, conducting meta-analysis using Mean Difference and Standard Mean Difference calculations, and quality-testing the evidence using the GRADE approach.
Results: A combined output of 1772 publications was retrieved, with 798 coming from PubMed Central, 274 from PsycINFO, CINAHL Plus 322, Embase 265 and 113 from BMC Geriatrics. Out of all five databases searched 741 were duplicates. Following deduplication, the remaining 1031 papers were thoroughly screened, and the remaining full-text papers and peer-reviewed publications were n = 162. Ultimately, the papers that failed to meet the preset criteria were deemed ineligible and excluded from the study leading to only 10 journal publications being included in the study. The findings of the research were presented in themes. These themes include residential care homes, elder QOL and self-management, QOL of older adults in residential care, variation between the QOL of elders in residential care vs community care, the role of environment and social factors on elders in residential care and intervention to improve QOL of elders in residential care.
Conclusion: The study revealed that residential care, along with various factors like environments, social connections, care location, and standard of care, significantly impacts the well-being, QOL, and overall health of older adults.
