Outcomes of Integrated Community Care Interventions for Frail Elderly People: A Literature Review

Abstract

This study aimed to summarize the outcome measures and the significant outcome of effective integrated community care for frail elderly people through a literature review. A literature search was conducted using the Cochrane Library and PubMed for articles published up to November 2016 with the following search terms: Integrated community care, primary care, community, frail elderly, and effectiveness. A total of 106 articles were identified, of which eight with an interventional research design the inclusion criteria. All outcome measures were classified into the three categories: Functional abilities, quality of life, and health. As the significant effect, the physical function was perceived in four references, the quality of life in one reference, and the mental health in one reference. The evidence of the effectiveness of integrated community care seemed to be lacking. More studies will need to be conducted.