The aim of this systematic literature review was to identify health promotion interventions for older people living alone and to describe the effectiveness of these interventions.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted using five databases, including CINAHL, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science, and this comprehensive literature search process was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Potentially relevant studies were evaluated and selected by two authors. Studies were assessed based on inclusion criteria. The Standardised Critical Appraisal Tool from Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI) was used to appraise the methodological quality of these studies.
Results:
Of the 2852 unique studies identified in the systematic search, the full texts of three studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. The results showed that the level of physical activity and self-efficacy for physical activity, activities of daily living, food enjoyment, and energy intake increased and leisure engagement decreased with health promotion interventions.
Conclusion:
The findings of this review indicate that interventions to improve health promotion positively affect the health of older people living alone and enhance their quality of life. There is a need for further research involving multidimensional interventions for older people living alone.
AltayBAydın AvcıI·.Relationship of perceived family social support and depression symptoms of old people living in Alanlı District, Samsun. TAF Prev Med Bull2008;8:139–46.
AltuğFYağcıNKitişAet al. Analyzing of factors affecting the quality of life in elderly at home. J Elder Res2009;2:48–60.
13.
ParkHChoiJ. Long-term trends in living alone among Korean adults: age, gender, and educational differences. Demogr Res2015;S15:1177–208.
14.
YeungW-JJCheungAK-L. Living alone: one-person households in Asia. Demogr Res2015;S15:1099–112.
15.
Statistics New Zealand. Two’s a Crowd: Living Alone in New Zealand. Available online at: http://www.stats.govt.nz (last accessed 28 June 2017)
16.
KharichaKIliffeSHarariDet al. Health risk appraisal in older people 1: are older people living alone an ‘at-risk’ group?Br J Gen Pract2007;57:271–6.
17.
NgTPJinAFengLet al. Mortality of older persons living alone: Singapore Longitudinal Ageing Studies. BMC Geriatr2015;15:126.
18.
RoutasaloPETilvisRSKautiainenHet al. Effects of psychosocial group rehabilitation on social functioning, loneliness and well-being of lonely, older people: randomized controlled trial. J Adv Nurs2009;65:297–305.
Dahlin-IvanoffSEklundKWilhelmsonKet al. For whom is a health-promoting intervention effective? Predictive factors for performing activities of daily living independently. BMC Geriatr2016;16:171.
NoosornNSaengngernS. Health promoting behaviors among older people living alone with chronic disease in the lower northern region of Thailand. Eur Sci J2013;9:214–26.
27.
SokSRYunEK. A comparison of physical health status, self-esteem, family support and health-promoting behaviours between aged living alone and living with family in Korea. J Clin Nurs2011;20:1606–12.
HablemitoğluşÖzmeteEBayoğluASet al. Contribution on young people’s life of being voluntary in elderly home care services. Cumhuriyet Univ J Econ Admin Sci2011;12:147–63.
30.
PRISMA. PRISMA-P (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols) 2015 Checklist: Recommended Items to Address in a Systematic Review Protocol. Available online at: http://www.prisma-statement.org/documents/PRISMA-P-checklist.pdf (last accessed 6 May 2017)
CederbomSRydwikESoderlundAet al. A behavioral medicine intervention for older women living alone with chronic pain – a feasibility study. Clin Interv Aging2014;9:1383–97.
34.
ZingmarkMFisherAGRocklovJet al. Occupation-focused interventions for well older people: an exploratory randomized controlled trial. Scan J Occup Ther2014;21:447–57.
35.
McHughJELeeOAspellNet al. RelAte: pilot study of the effects of a mealtime intervention on social cognitive factors and energy intake among older adults living alone. Br J Nutr2016;116:1573–81.
WalkerSNSechristKRPenderNJ. The Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile: development and psychometric characteristics. Nurs Res1987;36:76–81.
40.
McAuleyESzaboAGotheNet al. Self-efficacy: implications for physical activity, function, and functional limitations in older adults. Am J Lifestyle Med2011;5:361–369.
41.
ChaseJA. Interventions to increase physical activity among older adults: a meta-analysis. Gerontologist2015;55:706–18.
42.
WilkinsSJungBWishartLet al. The effectiveness of community-based occupational therapy education and functional training programs for older adults: a critical literature review. Can J Occup Ther2003;70:214–25.
Romero-OrtunoRCaseyAMCunninghamCUet al. Psychosocial and functional correlates of nutrition among community-dwelling older adults in Ireland. J Nutr Health Aging2011;15:527–31.
46.
IshikawaMTakemiYYokoyamaTet al. ‘Eating together’ is associated with food behaviors and demographic factors of older Japanese people who live alone. J Nutr Health Aging2017;21:662–72.
47.
ZhuHAnR. Impact of home-delivered meal programs on diet and nutrition among older adults: a review. Nutr Health2013;22:89–103.
48.
AbbottRAWhearRThompson-CoonJet al. Effectiveness of mealtime interventions on nutritional outcomes for the elderly living in residential care: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev2013;12:967–81.
