Clinical Interventions in Aging (Apr 2022)
Do Interventions Reducing Social Vulnerability Improve Health in Community Dwelling Older Adults? A Systematic Review
Abstract
Jasmine Mah,1 Kenneth Rockwood,2 Susan Stevens,3 Janice Keefe,3 Melissa K Andrew2 1Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; 2Division of Geriatric Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada; 3Department of Family Studies and Gerontology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, CanadaCorrespondence: Jasmine Mah, Geriatric Medicine Research, Dalhousie University/Nova Scotia Health, 1315 – 5955 Veterans’ Memorial Lane, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 2E1, Canada, Tel +1-613-618-8810, Email [email protected]: Social vulnerability occurs when individuals have been relatively disadvantaged by the social determinants of health. Complex interventions that reduce social vulnerability have the potential to improve health in older adults but robust evidence is lacking.Objective: To identify, appraise and synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of complex interventions targeting reduction in social vulnerability for improving health related outcomes (mortality, function, cognition, subjective health and healthcare use) in older adults living in the community.Methods: A mixed methods systematic review was conducted. Five databases and targeted grey literature were searched for primary studies of all study types according to predetermined criteria. Data were extracted from each distinct intervention and quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Effectiveness data were synthesized using vote counting by direction of effect, combining p values and Albatross plots.Results: Across 38 included studies, there were 34 distinct interventions categorized as strengthening social supports and communities, helping older adults and their caregivers navigate health and social services, enhancing neighbourhood and built environments, promoting education and providing economic stability. There was evidence to support positive influences on function, cognition, subjective health, and reduced hospital utilization. The evidence was mixed for non-hospital healthcare utilization and insufficient to determine effect on mortality.Conclusion: Despite high heterogeneity and varying quality of studies, attention to reducing an older adult’s social vulnerability assists in improving older adults’ health.Keywords: social determinants, older adults, complex interventions, social frailty
