Coaching as a strategy for the health promotion of the elderly: a systematic review

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of the application of coaching on the health promotion of the elderly. Method: A systematic review was performed in the PubMed, MEDLINE and SciELO databases. The selection of articles followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the articles were published from 2008 to July 2018. The following descriptors were used: aged (idoso, anciano), elderly (idoso, anciano), coaching (tutoria, tutoría), mentoring (tutoria, tutoría) and health promotion (promoção da saúde, promoción de la salud). Boolean operators were used for all databases: (coaching OR mentoring) AND (health promotion) AND (aged OR elderly); (idoso) AND (tutoria OR coaching) AND (promoção da saúde); (anciano) AND (tutoría OR coaching) AND (promoción de la salud). Results: The final analysis included three articles. These evaluated coaching tools for changes in lifestyle and the reduction of health risks for the elderly. The results were positive, with a significant improvement in the quality of life (mental and physical), health status, goal attainment, self-efficacy and increased immunization of the evaluated elderly persons. Conclusion: The use of coaching in health promotion in elderly is still incipient, however, based on the results, health coaching proved to be an effective strategy to enable the elderly to reach the maximum potential of self-management in health.