Developing a comprehensive model of home-based formal care for elderly adults in Iran: A study protocol

BACKGROUND: Due to the increasing Iran’s aging population, designing a home care model is necessary. However, the data on designing the home care model for elderly adults among developing countries are limited. This study will be carried out to develop a formal home-based care model for elderly adults in Iran. METHODS: This multi-method study will include three phases: First, Mixed-methods sequential explanatory study including two steps: One, survey to determine the prevalence of dependence on formal and informal caregivers among people aged ≥ 60 years living in Tabriz metropolis; and two, content analysis approach includes face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with the older adults receiving formal care at home, their caregivers and relevant key informants on the characteristics of care and caregiver, challenges and expectations of standard care. In phase 2, a scoping review will be used to find out the components of home care in other countries, such as care provider organization, caregivers training, and financing. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, Google scholar databases and grey literature will be run to retrieve relevant evidence using proper MeSH terms. In phase3, the triangulation method (using the results of the previous phases, reviewing national upstream documents and the focus group discussion) will be done to reach consensus and design the initial model for the Iranian context. In the following, a Delphi study will be conducted on the validation and feasibility of the developed model. DISCUSSION: The current health infrastructure in Iran is focused on caring for younger people, despite the near future population aging. Most studies have addressed the challenges of geriatric care, but no study has addressed the various dimensions of home care in Iran and how to provide this service to elderly adults. Providing a comprehensive model of home care for the elderly can improve the quality of life and satisfaction of the elderly and their caregivers.