Objective. To review the available evidence on home care services for older adults with chronic conditions in Latin America and to describe the characteristics of care models and reported outcomes.
Method. Scoping review conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Studies published through March 2025 that addressed at least one of the following dimensions were included: a) description of the service; b) financial results; c) patient-reported outcomes; and d) clinical outcomes. The search was conducted in MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, LILACS, REDALyc, Epistemonikos, Web of Science, and SciELO. Data selection and extraction were performed by two independent reviewers and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The protocol was registered on the Open Science Framework.
Results. Of the 7312 records identified, 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. Most described characteristics of the services and populations; 5 assessed costs, 10 reported patient-centered outcomes, and 14 reported clinical outcomes, including hospitalizations and complications. Most studies used descriptive designs, with considerable heterogeneity.
Conclusion. It is suggested that home care services could help to improve efficiency, continuity of care, and patient experience. However, the evidence is limited and inconsistent, with little comparative evaluation. Multicenter studies, cost-effectiveness analyses, and standardized outcome measurement are needed to guide decision-making and the development of public policies in the Region