A scoping review of older patients' health‐related quality of life, recovery and well‐being after intensive care

AIMS: In the present study, we aimed to determine how Health‐Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), recovery (function and capacity in daily life) and well‐being are followed up and characterised in persons ≥65 years of age who were being cared for in an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN: A scoping review. METHODS: CINAHL, MEDLINE (Ovid) and PsycINFO databases were searched in October 2021. 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The scoping review followed the principles outlined by Arksey and O'Malley, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐analyses (PRISMA) checklist and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework were used. RESULTS: Results are presented under five subheadings: Study characteristics, Type of studies, Methods for follow‐up, health‐related quality of life, and Recovery. Time seems to be an important factor regarding HRQoL among older patients being cared for in an ICU, with most elderly survivors perceiving their HRQoL as acceptable after 1 year. Nevertheless, several studies showed patients' willingness to be readmitted to the ICU if necessary, indicating that life is worth fighting for. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Due to the design of the study, this study involves no patient or public contribution.