Autonomy, disruptions and coping strategies of community-dwelling older adults in food-related activities - food shopping, cooking and eating- a scoping review

• Most studies focus on eating stage, healthy eating. • Food-related activities are shaped by social environment and knowledge. • Health and social disruptions affect food-related activities and nutritional status. • Nutritional confusion and a lack of appropriate nutritional knowledge are common. • It is important to preserve the autonomy of older adults in all food-related activities. Food-related activities—shopping, cooking, and eating—play a critical role in enabling community-dwelling older adults to live and age in place. This scoping review aims to explore existing knowledge on the experiences of community-dwelling older adults in their food-related activities. It also seeks to identify which stages of these activities have been studied. A systematic search of four databases (2000–2023) identified 1,189 articles. After screening, 48 studies were included. Data were analysed to determine which stages of food-related activities were examined and to extract emerging themes. Of the 48 studies, 31% addressed all three stages, 14% focused on two stages, and 54% examined one stage. This review highlights the complex interplay of social, cultural, economic, political, and health environments that structure food-related activities. Disruptions within these environments challenge autonomy. Depending on their social roles, interests, skills, and knowledge, older adults develop coping strategies to maintain control over their food-related activities. The findings underscore the need for ethical, person-centered support from healthcare and social service professionals, as well as relatives. Support should respect the decision-making autonomy of older adults while offering tailored nutritional guidance that enables them to adapt their food-related activities to evolving needs.