Care services for older people in the Arab Gulf countries: scoping review

Policymakers in the Arab region traditionally view caring for older people as a family responsibility despite shifts in family dynamics and growing need for formal care services. Although the Arab Gulf region comprises of economically rich countries, the care sectors of older people remain relatively underdeveloped. This scoping review aimed to explore and map existing literature on available care services for older people in Arab Gulf countries, following Joanna Briggs Institute’s methodology. Searches were conducted on nine databases and grey literature for records published from 2015 to 2024. Thirty-six records (14 research papers, 21 websites, and one book chapter) describing 17 different care services were included. Findings revealed several formal care services, including home care, day care clubs, residential care, financial care, geriatric care, and miscellaneous. Home care was the most frequently reported service, available in all countries and primarily government-funded. Residential care exists in all Gulf countries but is considered a last resort. Significant gaps and challenges were identified, including insufficient coordination between care sectors, scarcity of comprehensive data on the ageing population, inadequate specialised long-term care services, shortage of geriatric health professionals, and inequitable access to care. The review highlighted significant reliance on informal care, which often lacks specialised knowledge and resources for managing complex geriatric conditions. Socioeconomic and demographic shifts pose challenges to the availability of informal support and intergenerational solidarity systems. Our review suggests the need for more balanced care models that integrate family support with professional expertise. It is recommended that policymakers develop comprehensive strategies to address the growing demand for formal care services while maintaining respect for cultural values.