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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

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Eileen KanerORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2021 The Authors. Health and Social Care in the Community published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.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.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Lee C, Kuhn I, McGrath M, Remes O, Cowan A, Duncan F, Baskin C, Oliver EJ, Osborn DPJ, Dykxhoorn J, Kaner E, Walters K, Kirkbride J, Gnani S, Lafortune L

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Health and Social Care in the Community

Year: 2022

Volume: 30

Issue: 1

Pages: 27-57

Print publication date: 01/01/2022

Online publication date: 14/05/2021

Acceptance date: 31/03/2021

ISSN (print): 0966-0410

ISSN (electronic): 1365-2524

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Inc

URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13413

DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13413

PubMed id: 33988281

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