Interventions for quality of life and related outcomes among unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments: A scoping review.

Unpaid family caregivers play a critical role in the care of older adults with visual impairments. Caring for older adults with visual impairments requires much time and energy, often resulting in psychological stress and reduced quality of life for the unpaid caregiver. However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of caregiving on quality of life and related outcomes among these caregivers. The purpose of this study was to conduct a scoping review examining issues of quality of life, health, stress, burden, and barriers among unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments. The study also aimed to summarize interventions for addressing these issues. This study followed the Arksey and O'Malley five-stage approach for scoping reviews. We performed a search of published peer-reviewed articles available in PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and PsycINFO to identify relevant studies. Two reviewers conducted the screening of titles, abstracts, and full-texts. A total of 24 articles were eligible for full-text screening from the 452 records identified, and 5 articles met the final inclusion criteria. The following four themes were identified: (1) prevalence of quality of life–related barriers among unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments; (2) adverse events among unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments; (3) interventions for unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments; and (4) potential impacts of intervention on unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments. These findings point to a lack of interventions for unpaid caregivers of older adults with visual impairments, despite the prevalence of quality of life–related barriers and adverse events in this population. This study aligns with the social model of disability as it relates to the failure of the system to meet the needs of older adults with visual impairments. Research addressing these issues is urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]