Positive Aging and Death or Dying: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Current research on successful, active, productive, and healthy aging frameworks frequently omits discussions of death and dying.
• A significant gap exists in understanding how end-of-life considerations are integrated into positive aging models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review examining the inclusion of death and dying within research utilizing positive aging frameworks.
• To identify the extent and manner in which end-of-life concepts are addressed in the context of healthy aging.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review was performed adhering to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• A comprehensive literature search yielded 1,759 articles, with 35 studies included after rigorous screening.
• Qualitative thematic analysis was employed to analyze the integration of death and dying concepts within four positive aging models.

Main Results:

• A primary theme identified was the conspicuous absence of death and dying dimensions within existing positive aging models.
• Other key themes included older adults' perspectives on death and dying, religious/spiritual aspects of aging well, and the negative impacts of omitting end-of-life discussions.
• The analysis also explored the future integration of death and dying into positive aging research.

Conclusions:

• The review critically highlights the lack of focus on death and dying processes within established successful, active, productive, and healthy aging models.
• These findings underscore a significant opportunity for future research to incorporate end-of-life considerations into a more holistic understanding of aging well.