The effect of volunteers’ care and support on the health outcomes of older adults in acute care: A systematic scoping review

摘要: Aim To examine the available evidence on effects of care and support provided by volunteers health outcomes older adults in acute services. Background Acute hospital inpatient populations are becoming older, this presents potential for poorer outcomes. Factors such as chronic conditions, polypharmacy cognitive functional decline associated with increased risk care-related harm, falls, delirium poor nutrition. minimise volunteer programmes to patient have been established many hospitals worldwide. Design A systematic scoping review. Methods The review followed PRISMA Extension Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) (File S1). Nine databases were searched (CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, Scopus, Web Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect JBI) using following key terms: 'hospital', 'volunteer', 'sitter', 'acute care', 'older adults', 'confusion', 'dementia' 'frail'. search was limited papers written English published from 2002-2017. Inclusion criteria studies involving use or adult patients aged ≥ 65 years, 50 years Indigenous peoples, impairment and/or physical frailty, within settings. Results Of 199 articles identified, 17 that met inclusion critically appraised quality, 12 included final Conclusions There is provision eating drinking, mobilising therapeutic activities can impact positively upon related nutrition, falls delirium. Further robust research needed determine specific contribute best adults. Relevance clinical practice Volunteers play a valuable role supporting delivery nurses other professionals services, their contribution improve setting.