Aim: The rapid significant increase of older people with complex multimorbidity requires adaptation of the care delivered to maximise service accessibility and impact. Internationally, different clinical and social settings embrace varying models of aged care. We conducted a scoping review to identify models of aged care, their characteristics, and the associated effects.
Methods: We searched multiple academic databases to identify in-English articles reporting on a model of aged care for older people aged ≥65 years (Indigenous aged ≥50 years). Evidence of effect was a requisite for inclusion.
Results: Of 9,394 unique articles identified, 277 were included. The articles were published from 1983 to 2022, with the greatest proportion published in 2021 (10.1%). Of the 26 nations represented in the articles, the greatest proportion of studies was conducted in the United States of America (33.7%). For those indicating a mean age, the range was 71.3-92.0 years (mean of means 81.0). When reported, the largest proportion of articles reported a study conducted in a metropolitan area (61.0%); commonest setting was hospital (37.5%), and 60 (21.7%) were randomised trials. Although most reported on a multidisciplinary model of care (80.5%), most (61.7%) did not describe the model in a stepwise manner. Just over half of articles indicated the model of care was beneficial (54.9%).
Conclusions: A myriad of diverse models of aged care, across heterogenous populations, were variably described. To replicate beneficial models, it is important to standardise reporting and present sufficient detail to ultimately improve translation and improve the care of older people.