The Sustainable Care Model for an Ageing Population in Vietnam: Evidence from a Systematic Review

Abstract

Social demographic studies in Vietnam have shown a growing trend of an ageing population. Demographic trends project that one third of the Vietnamese population will be aged 65 years and older by 2050. Vietnam is a country where the majority of the elderly live with their children, with little savings and pension. The purpose of this review was to explore existing literature on models of care for an ageing population and provide evidence to develop a care model that is suitable for the ageing community in Vietnam. A systematic review utilizing the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework was carried out. An extensive literature search was performed, with a focus on articles and other materials with relevance to elderly care in Vietnam in terms of socio-economic, demographic, and associated factors based on comprehensive data sources. The review found that there is a lack of evidence of professional practice for caring for the aged in Vietnam. There also is a lack of evidence of government support for the limited community initiatives to support the ageing. There exist no community models of care for the ageing population in Vietnam. From a global perspective, there exist alternative models of care options to support the elderly through various care models, such as living in assisted-care facilities, home care, and other assistance. Inter-professional practice care models and health services were found to be essential for an ageing population. There is limited literature specifically for the care of an ageing population in Vietnam. Most of the available literature on care models for the aged is drawn from developed countries. The review offers insights into the development of care models for the elderly in Vietnam, with the need for inter-professional efforts in practice settings to support the ageing Vietnamese population. The reviewed literature agrees on the developing global challenges due to ageing. Despite the existing literature on care models for the ageing, there is a lack evidence-based care models concerning the current and future needs of elderly care in middle- and lower-income economies like Vietnam. More evidence is required to establish evidence for best care models for the elderly in developing economies.