# Autonomy, disruptions and coping strategies of community-dwelling older adults in food-related activities - food shopping, cooking and eating- a scoping review

## TL;DR

This review explores how older adults manage food shopping, cooking, and eating, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and the impact of social and health disruptions.

## Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive scoping review of food-related activities among older adults, highlighting gaps in research and the need for person-centered support.

## Key findings

- Most studies focus on the eating stage rather than shopping or cooking.
- Disruptions in social and health environments challenge older adults' autonomy in food-related activities.
- Tailored support is needed to help older adults maintain control over their food activities.

## Abstract

•Most studies focus on eating stage, healthy eating.•Food-related activities are shaped by social environment and knowledge.•Health and social disruptions affect food-related activities and nutritional status.•Nutritional confusion and a lack of appropriate nutritional knowledge are common.•It is important to preserve the autonomy of older adults in all food-related activities.

Most studies focus on eating stage, healthy eating.

Food-related activities are shaped by social environment and knowledge.

Health and social disruptions affect food-related activities and nutritional status.

Nutritional confusion and a lack of appropriate nutritional knowledge are common.

It is important to preserve the autonomy of older adults in all food-related activities.

Food-related activities—shopping, cooking, and eating—play a critical role in enabling community-dwelling older adults to live and age in place.

This scoping review aims to explore existing knowledge on the experiences of community-dwelling older adults in their food-related activities. It also seeks to identify which stages of these activities have been studied.

A systematic search of four databases (2000–2023) identified 1,189 articles. After screening, 48 studies were included. Data were analysed to determine which stages of food-related activities were examined and to extract emerging themes.

Of the 48 studies, 31% addressed all three stages, 14% focused on two stages, and 54% examined one stage. This review highlights the complex interplay of social, cultural, economic, political, and health environments that structure food-related activities. Disruptions within these environments challenge autonomy. Depending on their social roles, interests, skills, and knowledge, older adults develop coping strategies to maintain control over their food-related activities.

The findings underscore the need for ethical, person-centered support from healthcare and social service professionals, as well as relatives. Support should respect the decision-making autonomy of older adults while offering tailored nutritional guidance that enables them to adapt their food-related activities to evolving needs.