What constitutes a quality community aged care service-client perspectives: An international scoping study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Public Health
• Aged Care Service Delivery

Background:

• Majority of older Australians prefer home-based care over residential facilities.
• Government initiatives and consumer-directed care models emphasize client preferences in aged care.
• Older adults prioritize service provision over the concept of independent living.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key quality aspects of community-based aged care services from the perspective of older adults (65+ years).
• To understand what older Australians consider important in home care services.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted.
• Searches included MEDLINE, CINAHL, PubMed, PsychINFO, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases.
• Thematic analysis using the Miles and Huberman Model was applied to 62 selected articles.

Main Results:

• Five core quality domains emerged: staff knowledge, client respect, person-centred approach, collaborative partnership, and clear communication.
• These domains represent features highly valued by clients receiving community aged care.

Conclusions:

• Findings can guide community aged care providers in evaluating and improving service quality.
• Aligning services with these identified client preferences will enhance satisfaction and support aging in place.