Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jul 22, 2026
Date Accepted: Oct 21, 2026
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Terminology for ‘Elder Orphans’ and aging well: A scoping review protocol
ABSTRACT
Background:
Elder Orphans (EO) have been described as a growing vulnerable population of isolated older adults with limited social and caregiving support. There is a lack of consistency in the terminology and definitions of EO. This lack of consistency impedes research in the field and its implementation. EO are predisposed to isolation, loneliness, unmet care needs and a decline in health outcomes. It is imperative for EO to plan for their health and wellbeing as they age in the community.
Objective:
The objectives of the scoping review are: (i) to document the definitions and settings surrounding terms used to describe EO, (ii) to explore the determinants of isolation and loneliness in EO, and (iii) to understand the barriers and facilitators to planning to age well in EO.
Methods:
This review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The following databases will be searched: Scopus, Medline (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), Social Work Abstracts (EBSCOhost), Web of Science (Clarivate), Sociological abstracts (ProQuest), Sociology (ProQuest), ASSIA (ProQuest). Grey literature will be searched using Google (incognito). Only literature in English will be considered due to staff constraints. Two reviewers will screen and extract data independently using piloted screening and data extraction tools. Descriptive analysis will include narrative summaries, tables and charts, and deductive thematic analysis using appropriate frameworks.
Results:
This protocol has been registered in Open Science Framework (OSF). The search strategy was first developed and piloted in the Scopus database on 16 October 2025 to identify initial articles on the topic. At the time of publication, the final search and citation screening have been completed. We expect data extraction, evidence synthesis and the manuscript to be submitted for publication in early 2027.
Conclusions:
This review explores both the peer-reviewed and grey literature using rigorous and reproducible methods. It will support researchers in streamlining future work on EO and will identify directions for future research in the field. Clinical Trial: Open Science Framework 10.17605/OSF.IO/X8536; https://osf.io/x8536/overview
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