Table 2 Characteristics of included studies (stratified by settings)

Nursing homes

Chuang et al. 2015 [45], Taiwan

To explore the nursing home residents’ care needs

18 seniors, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes included Body, Economics, Environment, Mind, Preparation for death, and Social support (BEEMPS)

Ghani et al. 2016 [49], Malaysia

To investigate social support, the forms, and the effects of social support given to seniors at the Darul Hanan Nursing Home

30 seniors, case study, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes around choosing Darul Hanan included the elderly who have no heir, elders or heirs who are living difficult lives, guaranteed security, no place to stay, easier to perform religious obligations, and neglected by family members. The forms of social support were emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual support. The effects of social support included emotional and physical effects

Shelter homes

Cassum et al. 2020 [43], Pakistan

To explore the experiences and reasons of seniors who live in shelter homes

14 seniors, descriptive exploratory design, in-depth interviews, content analysis

Themes included the circumstances of leaving home, life experiences before relocating to a shelter home, challenges to well-being before entering the care facility, coping with challenges, and the decision to live in a shelter home

Residential care homes

Lao et al., 2019 [30],

China

To explore the seniors’ perceptions of family involvement in residential care homes

10 seniors, descriptive, in-depth interviews, content analysis

Themes included components of family involvement, factors influencing family involvement, impacts of family involvement on residents' lives, and promoting family involvement strategies

Seah et al. 2020 [36], Singapore

To explore how health resources are used among seniors who are residing in senior-only households

102 seniors, descriptive, focus group discussions, thematic analysis

Themes included tapping on the internal self-care repository, maintaining and preserving informal social support, and enabling self-using environmental aids. An eco-map of aging assets was used to capture an overview of internal and external resources

Community

Almazan et al. 2019 [27], Philippines

To explore the disaster resiliency among seniors after a traumatic experience

26 seniors living alone or with family, qualitative study, focus group discussions, cross-case analysis

Themes included understanding one’s culture generates resilience that can have a huge impact in coping with disaster, holding on to their faith by praying or acting practically during adversities still promotes adaptation, gaining previous experiences is crucial to the positive outcome, and getting social support or not promotes adaptation

Amin 2017 [28], Bangladesh

To analyze seniors’ definitions of successful aging

12 seniors living with family, grounded theory, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes included adaptation to an aging body, financial security, family and intergenerational care, and social participation

Badriah & Sahar 2018 [39], Indonesia

To understand the experience of seniors with diabetes mellitus (DM) about their family support

8 seniors living with family, phenomenology, in-depth interviews, Colaizzi method analysis

Themes included the changes in seniors with DM, optimum family support, and suboptimal family support

Carandang et al. 2019 [42], Philippines

To examine the perceptions of unmet needs and coping mechanisms of seniors

37 seniors, qualitative study, focus group discussions, thematic analysis

Themes included financial security, healthcare services, age-friendly environment, and family support

Cheng et al. 2018 [44], China

To understand the intergenerational differences of social support for the seniors

30 seniors living alone or with family, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, constant comparative analysis

The young old received more formal social support and less informal social support than the older-old. The young old expected to receive more formal social support when they become the older‐old, as support from their children would be reduced due to the one‐child policy and sociocultural changes

Han et al. 2019 [46], Singapore

To explore the impact of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and dialysis and the coping strategies utilized by participants

16 ESRD seniors with family caregiver, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, framework analysis

ESRD and dialysis impacted biological/physical, psychological, and social. The strategies that participants used to cope with these biopsychosocial challenges were family support, religious/spiritual support, avoidance, and acceptance

Harnirattisai & Vuthiarpa, 2020 [47], Thailand

To explore the perception of independent living, including the meaning, characteristics, and contributing factors of independent living

11 seniors living with family, descriptive, in-depth interviews, content analysis

Living independently meant being employed, having sufficient money for personal expenses, being capable of participating in religious activities, and having time for relaxation. The factors that contribute to independent living were personal, environment, and social support

Kristianingrum et al. 2018 [48], Indonesia

To explore perceived family support by seniors in diabetes mellitus self-management

9 diabetic seniors living alone or with family, phenomenology, in-depth interviews, Colaizzi method analysis

The severity of family support included daily activity assistance, assistance with obtaining health services, food preparation, financial support, attention, guidance, and problem-solving. The response to family support was pleasure

Kwan & Tam 2021 [29], Hong Kong

To examine the aging in place (AIP) experiences of seniors living in a disaster-prone rural coastal community

12 seniors living with family, case study, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes included the ability to sustain and continue seniors’ work, local community-based organizations play an instrumental role in providing social support in a disaster context, more support and resources for mitigation activities are needed, and while support exists for AIP and in a disaster situation, the seniors may not utilize such support

Liu et al. 2015 [31], China

To explore care needs of Chinese empty-nest seniors

25 seniors living alone or with spouses, descriptive, in-depth interviews, content analysis

The care needed was home-based care. Seniors would like to have aging-in-place, home-based care by housemaid employment, or institutionalized care. However, they had some concerns about institutionalized care

Nazari et al. 2016 [33], Iran

To investigate the meaning of perceived social support and experiences of Iranian seniors

18 seniors living alone or with family, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, content analysis

Themes included emotional, practical, informational, social companionship, providing, spiritual support, conflicts, and satisfaction with support

Pathike et al. 2017 [34], Thailand

To explore the concept of resilience in rural Thai seniors

35 seniors living alone or with family, ethnography, semi-structured interviews and observation, thematic analysis

The main theme was moving on. The sub-themes included keeping a job and earning a living, having Jai-Yai to fight for life, accepting a situation (Plong and Taam-Jai), expressing difficulty, and connecting with people, beliefs, and customs

Rittirong et al. 2014 [35], Thailand

To explore rural seniors’ preferences for support

102 seniors, qualitative study, focus group discussions, thematic analysis

The types of support were meal preparation, personal care, transportation, and financial and emotional support. Male and female seniors’ preferences were slightly different for genderized tasks. Social closeness and geographical proximity mattered

Shiraz et al. 2020 [37], Singapore

To examine seniors’ perceptions of physical, psychological, and social health and the processes of adaptation and self-management

40 seniors, exploratory, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes around physical, psychological, and social health perceptions included slowing down, relationship harmony, financial harmony, social connectedness, and eating together. Themes around adaptation and self-management included keep moving, keep learning, adopting avoidant coping behaviors, “It feels good to do good,” “Power of Prayer,” and social participation

Sta Maria et al. 2018 [32], Philippines

To explore the quality of social relationships of senior Filipino church members

6 seniors living with family, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes included forms of support and nonsupport

Tabari et al. 2017 [38], Iran

To identify factors that affect the mental health of seniors

15 seniors living alone or with family, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, content analysis

Themes included interaction and worthiness. Main categories included communication/relationship, empathy/compassion, entertainment/amusement, support, and respect

Tsuji & Khan 2016 [40], Japan

To investigate the relationship between social support and the life satisfaction of seniors in Japan

5 seniors living alone or with family, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, interpretative phenomenological analysis

Themes included gender difference, transition of role from carer to being cared for, and reciprocity

Yoo 2013 [41], Korea

To explore how seniors perceive and desire social support in an aging society

21 seniors living alone or with family, qualitative research, in-depth interviews, thematic analysis

Themes included no or denied support, not being greedy and shameless, and justification and hopelessness