Challenges and Advancements in the Health-Related Quality of Life of Older People

Abstract

Background. With the global trend of increasing life expectancy, the health-related quality of life of older people haspersonalised become an area of significant interest. It is crucial to comprehend the advancements and identify the ongoing challenges in this domain for better health management and policy formation. Objectives. This scoping review aimed to comprehensively investigate the existing challenges and recent advancements associated with the quality of health among older people. Methods. We utilized Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework for this study. A systematic literature search was performed across multiple databases, namely, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, targeting publications from 2018 to 2023. Selected studies were then rigorously examined based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, followed by an in-depth thematic analysis. Results. Of the initial 406 identified studies, 72 were included in the final review. The analysis underscored enduring challenges in physical and medical issues, psychological difficulties, socioeconomic obstacles, and policy-related challenges. Meanwhile, significant advancements were noted in several areas, including technology, medicine, social and societal facets, and policy. Conclusions. Despite noteworthy improvements in the health-related quality of life of older individuals, the continued presence of substantial challenges emphasizes the need for more targeted initiatives. These results suggest an immediate requirement for revising policies and implementing interventions that specifically address identified challenges, with a particular emphasis on ensuring equitable health care access, effectively managing chronic conditions, and enhancing the training of geriatric health care professionals. This comprehensive review serves as a roadmap for guiding future research and shaping policy directions in the health care of older people.