Age-Friendly Healthcare: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis.
Anna Zisberg, Nosaiba Rayan-Gharra, Alexandra Danial-Saad and 3 others
PMID 39344476WHAT IT FOUND
Older adult care is described as age-friendly when it supports autonomy, accessible environments, continuity, communication and prevention of care-related harm.
The literature is fragmented, and patient outcome measurement is limited.
Key findings
01Age-friendly healthcare is defined as an integrated approach for adults aged 65 and above that aims to meet older adults' needs, promote function and well-being, reduce barriers, prevent complications, and support autonomy and participation.
02The analysis included 65 articles, most from acute inpatient or emergency settings, and only 15 reported patient outcomes.
03Measured outcomes were often organisational or process-based, including fall-risk screening, medication regimen simplification and documentation of age-friendly actions.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This is a concept analysis of published articles, not a clinical trial or effectiveness study, so it does not show that age-friendly healthcare improves patient outcomes. The authors searched a large and rapidly expanding field and could not include all age-friendly healthcare articles. They excluded age-friendly dentistry, dementia-friendly care and models that segregate older adults into separate units, so the definition does not cover those approaches. Only 15 included studies reported patient outcomes, and many outcomes were staff, process or organisational measures. Most included studies were from acute inpatient or emergency settings, so it says less about primary care, community care and long-term care. Most research came from English-speaking countries, especially the United States and Canada, so the framework may not fit other health systems. Funding, costs and economic accessibility were not fully discussed.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that age-friendly healthcare improves patient outcomes. It is a concept analysis of published articles, not a trial or effectiveness study, and the authors say outcome measurement remains limited.