The impact of long-term care needs on the socio-economic deprivation of older people and their families: A scoping review protocol

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 31;17(8):e0273814. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273814. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Major global problems such as population ageing, long-term care and the socio-economic burden of chronically ill older people and their families are urgent issues. Research in this field contributes to the growing international literature on health-related quality-of-life instruments, but little is known about the links between the related variables. Thus, the scoping review this protocol refers to plans to examine the socio-economic consequences of older people's poor health on their economic conditions and their families. In particular, the main aims are: a) to map the main concepts that characterize the body of the reference literature; b) to identify conceptual gaps or unexplored research areas to be addressed; c) to illuminate the difficulties that affect a large number of families with older members to care for, with particular attention to the concept of socio-economic deprivation, which includes material living conditions as well as social aspects (e.g. in the form of loneliness experienced as a consequence of health disorders). This protocol paper fulfils the purpose of clarifying the planned methodological phases, including the sub-phases, and listing the techniques used. A three-step approach is being applied, consisting of: pre-planning phase, protocol phase, and conduction and reporting phase. The preliminary stages of the protocol design are part of a dedicated project within the Open Science Framework platform and included in a Research Square preprint. This proposed project will contribute to multidisciplinary research on the connections between ill health and poverty, and could support critical reflections on the current evidence and guide future policies to alleviate this double burden.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Long-Term Care*
  • Poverty
  • Quality of Life*
  • Review Literature as Topic

Grants and funding

The study is being supported by the Family International Monitor (FIM) and the International Centre for Family Studies (CISF). Also, GC was supported by the the Marie Curie European Fellowship Grant (Grant Agreement No. 888102). Details: The scoping review this protocol refers to is part of the Horizon 2020-funded SEreDIPE project, i.e. the European Commission is to be considered as a funding body (call for proposal: H2020-MSCA-IF-2019; project code: 888102; project period: 16 March 2021 - 15 March 2023). SEreDIPE is an acronym for “Socio-Economic (SE) deprivation related to the effect of the presence of Dependent older people: strategies for Innovative Policies in Europe”. Its mission is to investigate social trends and social innovation policies, with particular attention to informal care and the amount that families pay directly for looking after their older members, particularly those afflicted with limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs). POLIBIENESTAR, a research institute of the University of Valencia, is responsible for coordinating this project. The Italian National Institute of Health & Science on Ageing — IRCCS INRCA — is to be referred to as a consortium partner, the others being: Golgi Cenci Foundation (IT), University of Dortmund, Leibniz Institute of Social Sciences (DE), University of Vechta, CoE AgeCare (FI), “National Cancer Institute” Foundation (IT), European Center for Social Welfare Policy and Research, and Eurocarers (Belgium). Grant recipient: Dr. Georgia Casanova (Marie Curie Individual Fellowship Grant; H2020-MSCA-IF-2019. Grant Agreement: 888102). The study also partially benefits from funding for current research granted by the Italian Ministry of Health to the National Institute of Health & Science on Ageing (IRCCS ― INRCA). https:www.inrca.it/INRCA/MODM2/ FIM: https://www.facebook.com/FamilyInternationalMonitor/ CISF: https://www.cisf.famigliacristiana.it European Commission: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/888102/it The funders had and will not have a role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.