Table 7 Global scheme emerging from analysis of the 38 included publications (part one)*

1. Conceptualisation of vulnerability (and related concepts), generally understood

 1.1 Basic human vulnerability (N = 12)

Vulnerability (and related concepts) as an intrinsic trait of human nature

38–40, 42, 49, 50, 53, 55, 58, 59, 64, 65

 1.2 Situational vulnerability (N = 8)

Vulnerability (and related concepts) as a consequence of extrinsic cultural, social, political, economic factors

41, 44, 51, 52, 55, 61, 66, 68

 1.3 NO conceptualisation of vulnerability, generally understood (N = 18)

43, 45–48, 54, 56, 57, 60, 62, 63, 67, 69–75

2. Conceptualisation of older adults’ vulnerability (and related concepts)

 2.1 Aging as a condition of increased basic human vulnerability (N = 9)

38–40, 44, 49, 53, 58, 59, 65

 2.2 Aging as a condition of increased situational vulnerability (N = 25)

41–43, 46, 47, 48, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 60–63, 66–74

 2.3 Aging as a condition of both increased basic human & situational vulnerability (N = 4)

45, 50, 55, 64

3. Dimensions of aged care vulnerability (and related concepts)

 3.1 Physical Vulnerability (N = 14)

  Non pathological physical/physiological bodily deterioration related to ageing

43, 44, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 61, 62, 67, 68, 70, 74

  Pathological physical/physiological conditions related to ageing

43, 50, 52, 61, 65

 3.2 Psychological Vulnerability (N = 18)

  Strictly psychological

Cognitive 43, 44, 48, 50, 52, 61, 65, 67, 68

Emotional 40, 48, 54, 57, 61, 69, 72

Personal traits 70

  Experiential

42, 53, 63, 72

 3.3 Relational/interpersonal vulnerability (N = 14)

  Ontological interdependence of the human condition

40, 42, 58, 73

  (Inter)dependence in real-world settings

43, 44, 51, 56, 57, 61, 65, 67, 70, 74

 3.4 Moral vulnerability (N = 7)

  Positive view

58, 59, 65, 68

  Negative view

61, 62, 64

 3.5 Socio-cultural, political, and economic vulnerability (N = 22)

  Socio-cultural

Broadly understood 41, 50, 51, 55, 68, 70, 73

Isolation/exclusion from social life 42, 43, 45, 62, 65

Marginalisation (also related to racism) 43, 48

Stigmatisation (i.e., ageism) 43, 48, 52

Related to gender 54, 73, 74

Low education level attained 70, 74

  Political and economic

43, 44, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55, 60, 61, 71, 73, 74, 75

 3.6 Existential/spiritual vulnerability (N = 15)

  Trait of human existence

44, 49, 53, 55, 66

  Experience of human finitude

38, 42, 55, 58, 66

  Acquisition of new meaning(s)

40, 58, 59, 63, 68

  Loss of meaning

43, 45, 67, 68

4. Additional conditions/issues correlated to aged care vulnerability (and related concepts)

  4.1 Depression

43, 44, 68

 4.2 Loneliness

45, 54, 66

 4.3 Undertreatment of pain

46, 68

.4.4 Medicalisation

56, 62

 4.5 Living Situation

44, 52, 61, 62, 67, 70, 72, 74

 4.6 Control

56, 65