Friends and neighbours as non-kin caregivers of seriously ill patients at the end of life: a scoping review of experiences, individual capacities, support needs and services.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The number of older individuals in need of care is projected to increase in the coming years. As support from family members is becoming increasingly limited, often due to geographical distance, non-kin caregivers, such as neighbours, friends, and acquaintances, are assuming an increasingly significant role in providing support. The present scoping review aimed to identify, describe and synthesise existing evidence on the experiences, individual capacities and support needs of informal non-kin caregivers of patients at the end of life, as well as the support services available to them.

Methods

The review followed the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley. A search was conducted in four electronic databases (CINAHL, PsycInfo, PubMed, Web of Science Core C

SUBMITTER: Stemme L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12801842 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature