Climate change effects in older people's health: A scoping review.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Climate change has serious consequences for the morbidity and mortality of older adults. OBJECTIVE: To identify the effects of climate change on older people's health. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines and the PRISMA-ScR checklist. Quantitative research and reports from organizations describing the effects of climate change on older people were selected. RESULTS: Sixty-three full-text documents were selected. Heat and air pollution were the two factors that had the most negative effects on cardiovascular and respiratory morbidity and mortality in older people. Mental health and cognitive function were also affected. CONCLUSIONS: Climate change affects several health problems in older individuals, especially high temperatures and air pollution. Nursing professionals must have the necessary skills to respond to the climate risks in older adults. More instruments are required to determine nursing competencies on climate change and the health of this population group. PATIENT OF PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No patient or public contribution.