Department of Gerontology, 33507Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Gerontology Research Centre, 416185Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
J Appl Gerontol. 2022 May;41(5):1500-1510. doi: 10.1177/07334648211067710. Epub 2022 Feb 13.
Although older adults may experience health challenges requiring increased care, they often do not ask for help. This scoping review explores the factors associated with the help-seeking behaviors of older adults, and briefly discusses how minority ethnic populations can face additional challenges in help-seeking, due to factors such as language barriers and differing health beliefs. Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-AnalysesScoping Review guidelines, a systematic search of five databases was conducted. Using a qualitative meta-synthesis framework, emergent themes were identified. Data from 52 studies meeting inclusion criteria were organized into five themes: formal and informal supports, independence, symptom appraisal, accessibility and awareness, and language, alternative medicine and residency. Identifying how factors, including independence and symptom appraisal, relate to older adults' help-seeking behaviors may provide insights into how this population can be supported to seek help more effectively.
尽管老年人可能会面临需要更多照顾的健康挑战，但他们往往不会寻求帮助。本范围综述探讨了与老年人寻求帮助行为相关的因素，并简要讨论了少数民族群体由于语言障碍和不同的健康观念等因素，在寻求帮助方面可能面临额外的挑战。本研究以 Arksey 和 O'Malley 的范围综述框架和系统评价和荟萃分析的首选报告项目为指导，对五个数据库进行了系统搜索。使用定性元综合框架，确定了出现的主题。符合纳入标准的 52 项研究的数据被组织成五个主题：正式和非正式支持、独立性、症状评估、可及性和意识以及语言、替代医学和居住地点。确定包括独立性和症状评估在内的因素如何与老年人的寻求帮助行为相关，可能有助于了解如何支持这一人群更有效地寻求帮助。
