{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,23]],"date-time":"2026-10-23T20:50:29Z","timestamp":1792788629210,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":45,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]],"date-time":"2026-10-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1792108800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"Sichuan Hospital Management and Development Research Center","award":["SCYG2025-34"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["SCYG2025-34"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/04m6cjv19","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"crossref"}]},{"name":"Mianyang Central Hospital Institutional Research Project","award":["MCHHL2024YB11"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["MCHHL2024YB11"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/00s528j33","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"crossref"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Based on the theory of structural vulnerability, this study systematically examines the characteristics and underlying mechanisms shaping information needs among families of older adults with special healthcare needs in disaster contexts, providing a theoretical foundation for developing a family-system collaborative disaster information support system. In this scoping review, we systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data, VIP Database, and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from inception to December 31, 2025. A total of 22 studies were included. The findings suggest that the information needs in this population are highly heterogeneous, particularly among families managing cognitive impairments and chronic diseases. These families not only bear the responsibility of information transmission but also act as intermediaries responsible for translating, interpreting, and filtering information. However, existing disaster information support systems insufficiently meet their needs, particularly regarding information accessibility and comprehensibility, which presents significant gaps. Additionally, family caregivers face a disparity between responsibility and capacity, lacking effective support tools, potentially contributing to decision fatigue and information overload. Overall, the study suggests that the information needs of these families may arise from structural mechanisms embedded within disaster response systems. Future disaster information support strategies should move beyond the simple \u201cfamily-centered\u201d approach to a family-system synergy model. Such an approach should incorporate decision-support toolkits and parallel communication channels while also providing structured decision support and risk-sharing mechanisms. This shift would transform family caregivers from unsupported gap-fillers into active yet supported decision participants, thereby enhancing both disaster response capacity and equity for this vulnerable population.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0358320","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]],"date-time":"2026-10-16T17:29:42Z","timestamp":1792171782000},"page":"e0358320","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Disaster-related information support systems for families of older adults with special healthcare needs: A scoping review"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"21","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1518-3212","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Qianmei","family":"Zhong","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Mianyang Central Hospital, Affiliated with the School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China","place":["Mianyang, China"],"department":["Department of Immunology"]},{"name":"School of Public Health, Macau University of Science and Technology","place":["Macau, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Chunyue","family":"Xiao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mianyang Central Hospital, Affiliated with the School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China","place":["Mianyang, China"],"department":["Department of Immunology"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Dan","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mianyang Central Hospital, Affiliated with the School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China","place":["Mianyang, China"],"department":["Department of Immunology"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lawrence T.","family":"Lam","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Public Health, Macau University of Science and Technology","place":["Macau, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Jia","family":"Pu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mianyang Central Hospital, Affiliated with the School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China","place":["Mianyang, China"],"department":["Department of Immunology"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"pone.0358320.ref001","article-title":"Cultural Dynamics in Disaster Management: Exploring Sociocultural Influences on Disaster Response in Malaysia","volume":"19","author":"SK Abid","year":"2025","journal-title":"Disaster Med Public Health Prep"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0358320.ref002","article-title":"Factors influencing disaster preparedness behaviors of older adults","volume":"20","author":"K-M Liao","year":"2025","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref003","author":"WHO","year":"2008"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref004","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1017\/dmp.2016.53","article-title":"Disaster Preparedness Among Older Japanese Adults With Long-Term Care Needs and Their Family Caregivers","volume":"11","author":"T Wakui","year":"2017","journal-title":"Disaster Med Public Health Prep"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref005","volume-title":"Disability and older age inclusion in humanitarian action: An innovation catalogue","author":"S Palmer","year":"2022"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref006","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1510","DOI":"10.12688\/f1000research.157483.2","article-title":"Natural disaster and medication preparedness among elderly: a scoping review","volume":"13","author":"R Yuliwulandari","year":"2025","journal-title":"F1000Res"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref007","author":"Federal Emergency Management Agency, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers","year":"2024"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0358320.ref008","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"299","DOI":"10.1097\/ACM.0000000000001294","article-title":"Structural Vulnerability: Operationalizing the Concept to Address Health Disparities in Clinical Care","volume":"92","author":"P Bourgois","year":"2017","journal-title":"Acad Med"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref009","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"H Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int J Soc Res Methodol"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0358320.ref010","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"178","DOI":"10.1089\/hs.2018.0007","article-title":"The Disaster Information Needs of Families of Children with Special Healthcare Needs: A Scoping Review","volume":"16","author":"TJ Hipper","year":"2018","journal-title":"Health Secur"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref011","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"177","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclinepi.2020.03.016","article-title":"Reporting scoping reviews-PRISMA ScR extension","volume":"123","author":"J McGowan","year":"2020","journal-title":"J Clin Epidemiol"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref012","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100401","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ssmqr.2024.100401","article-title":"\u201cIt\u2019s not at all the same as being in the same room, being in the same space\u201d: Older adult technology use and activity place modification during COVID-19 lockdown","volume":"5","author":"AD DeJohn","year":"2024","journal-title":"SSM - Qualitative Research in Health"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0358320.ref013","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"323","DOI":"10.1177\/14713012241272906","article-title":"\u201cNecessity is the mother of invention\u201d: Experiences of accessing and delivering dementia-related support services by information communication technology during the pandemic in the UK","volume":"24","author":"T Caprioli","year":"2025","journal-title":"Dementia (London)"},{"issue":"1613","key":"pone.0358320.ref014","first-page":"24","article-title":"\u201cCall-it-in\u201d: addressing older informal caregivers\u2019 support needs during the COVID-19 pandemic in Aotearoa New Zealand","volume":"138","author":"T Barnard","year":"2025","journal-title":"N Z Med J"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0358320.ref015","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"224","DOI":"10.1080\/00325481.2021.2004792","article-title":"Acceptance of virtual consultations among older adults and caregivers in Malaysia: a pilot study during the COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"134","author":"YR Tan","year":"2022","journal-title":"Postgrad Med"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0358320.ref016","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"907","DOI":"10.1080\/02687038.2022.2059055","article-title":"Accessing information and adapting to the role of care partner for stroke survivors with aphasia during the early Covid-19 pandemic","volume":"37","author":"JS Shafer","year":"2022","journal-title":"Aphasiology"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref017","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1111\/1475-6773.13732","article-title":"Caregiving during the Time of COVID\u201019: A Multi\u2010State Qualitative Study of Family Caregiver Experiences and Decision\u2010Making","volume":"56","author":"T Sadler","year":"2021","journal-title":"Health Services Research"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0358320.ref018","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2775","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19052775","article-title":"Caregiving of Older Persons during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Russian Arctic Province: Challenges and Practice","volume":"19","author":"E Golubeva","year":"2022","journal-title":"Int J Environ Res Public Health"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref019","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"90","DOI":"10.1177\/00914150241300892","article-title":"Communicative and Methodological Challenges Related to Collecting Data with Older Adults with Dementia in Senior Living Communities During the COVID-19 Pandemic","volume":"101","author":"TD Afifi","year":"2025","journal-title":"Int J Aging Hum Dev"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref020","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2187","DOI":"10.2147\/RMHP.S387976","article-title":"Current Status and Associated Factors of Health Information Literacy Among the Community Elderly in Central China in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"15","author":"P Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"Risk Manag Healthc Policy"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0358320.ref021","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"325","DOI":"10.1080\/01621424.2018.1517704","article-title":"Disaster preparedness among families of older adults taking oral medications","volume":"37","author":"K Kyota","year":"2018","journal-title":"Home Health Care Serv Q"},{"issue":"11","key":"pone.0358320.ref022","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0311792","article-title":"Impact of remote social interaction during the COVID-19 pandemic on the cognitive and psychological status of older adults with and without cognitive impairment: A randomized controlled study","volume":"19","author":"AL Vives-Rodriguez","year":"2024","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"4","key":"pone.0358320.ref023","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"419","DOI":"10.1017\/dmp.2013.47","article-title":"Impacts of the emergency mass evacuation of the elderly from residential care facilities after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake","volume":"7","author":"CP Heppenstall","year":"2013","journal-title":"Disaster Med Public Health Prep"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref024","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1126900","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1126900","article-title":"Information communication technology accessibility and mental health for older adults during the coronavirus disease in South Korea","volume":"11","author":"S Park","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"issue":"2","key":"pone.0358320.ref025","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.5770\/cgj.28.825","article-title":"The Experience of Caregivers of Older Adults With Dementia in Using Telemedicine in a Primary Care Setting of Canada During COVID-19","volume":"28","author":"JS Klinton","year":"2025","journal-title":"Can Geriatr J"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref026","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"714813","DOI":"10.3389\/fdgth.2021.714813","article-title":"The Internet-Based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial (I-CONECT) in Socially Isolated Adults 75+ Years Old: Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol and COVID-19 Related Study Modifications","volume":"3","author":"K Yu","year":"2021","journal-title":"Front Digit Health"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref027","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105056","DOI":"10.1016\/j.archger.2023.105056","article-title":"The interRAI COVID-19 vulnerability screener: Results of a health surveillance initiative for vulnerable adults in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"113","author":"S Hogeveen","year":"2023","journal-title":"Arch Gerontol Geriatr"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref028","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1007\/s13755-022-00198-4","article-title":"Towards data-driven tele-medicine intelligence: community-based mental healthcare paradigm shift for smart aging amid COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"11","author":"L Cheng","year":"2023","journal-title":"Health Inf Sci Syst"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref029","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1093\/eurjpc\/zwad125.060","article-title":"Traditional media or chatbot: how can we reach older adults with the COVID-19 information they need?","volume":"30","author":"R Olszewski","year":"2023","journal-title":"Eur J Prev Cardiol"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref030","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ahmmad R, Burns PA, Alam A, Simino J, Yimer W, Faruque F. Understanding the impact of social engagement activities, health protocol maintenance, and social interaction on depression during Covid-19 pandemic among older Americans. 2023.","DOI":"10.1101\/2023.02.04.23285479"},{"issue":"12","key":"pone.0358320.ref031","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2012","DOI":"10.1093\/jamia\/ocad165","article-title":"Use of information communication technologies by older people and telemedicine adoption during COVID-19: a longitudinal study","volume":"30","author":"L Mao","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Am Med Inform Assoc"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref032","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15333175231160679","DOI":"10.1177\/15333175231160679","article-title":"Video Call Usage in Older Adults With or Without Dementia Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic","volume":"38","author":"SO Yoon","year":"2023","journal-title":"Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref033","first-page":"116","article-title":"Research on home care demand of community-dwelling older adults with chronic diseases in the context of public health emergencies and its influencing factors","volume":"18","author":"M Zhong","year":"2023","journal-title":"J Chengdu Med Coll"},{"issue":"5","key":"pone.0358320.ref034","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1115","DOI":"10.1177\/14713012231169830","article-title":"Chinese diaspora caregivers\u2019 experiences in dementia care in high-income countries: A systematic review","volume":"22","author":"Y Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Dementia (London)"},{"issue":"6","key":"pone.0358320.ref035","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0269840","article-title":"Factors that influence older patients\u2019 participation in clinical communication within developed country hospitals and GP clinics: A systematic review of current literature","volume":"17","author":"HJ Gaffney","year":"2022","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"20","key":"pone.0358320.ref036","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2633","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare13202633","article-title":"Caregiver Burden and Psychological Distress Among Informal Caregivers for Individuals with Dementia in the Republic of Kazakhstan: A Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"13","author":"Y Toleuov","year":"2025","journal-title":"Healthcare (Basel)"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref037","article-title":"Challenges and Opportunities for Telemedicine Integration in Disaster Medicine: A Saudi Arabian Perspective","author":"J Abualenain","year":"2024","journal-title":"eajem"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref038","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2118","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-23281-3","article-title":"A cross-sectional study on household disaster preparedness in China and analysis of its influencing factors","volume":"25","author":"X Yin","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"issue":"3","key":"pone.0358320.ref039","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"773","DOI":"10.3758\/s13415-023-01064-w","article-title":"Aging, uncertainty, and decision making-A review","volume":"23","author":"CC Frank","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cogn Affect Behav Neurosci"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref040","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"343","DOI":"10.1186\/s12911-025-03198-y","article-title":"Decision fatigue of surrogate decision-makers: a scoping review","volume":"25","author":"S Cai","year":"2025","journal-title":"BMC Med Inform Decis Mak"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref041","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1578911","DOI":"10.3389\/fragi.2025.1578911","article-title":"Assessment of burden and needs of family caregivers for the elderly, a scoping review","volume":"6","author":"E Le Toullec","year":"2025","journal-title":"Front Aging"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref042","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19282","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-46494-1","article-title":"Social virtual reality helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and social anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic","volume":"13","author":"K Kenyon","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"issue":"1","key":"pone.0358320.ref043","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"10621","DOI":"10.22605\/RRH10621\/","article-title":"Bridging the gap: a scoping review of family caregiver roles in rural health settings","volume":"26","author":"S Quon","year":"2026","journal-title":"Rural Remote Health"},{"key":"pone.0358320.ref044","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1097932","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1097932","article-title":"Risk communication and community engagement as an emerging pillar of health emergency management in Iran: Achievements and the way forward","volume":"11","author":"M Senga","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Public Health"},{"issue":"12","key":"pone.0358320.ref045","article-title":"Decision Aid Interventions for Family Caregivers of Persons With Advanced Dementia in Decision-Making About Feeding Options: A Scoping Review","volume":"23","author":"Y Pei","year":"2022","journal-title":"J Am Med Dir Assoc"}],"container-title":["PLOS One"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0358320","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]],"date-time":"2026-10-16T17:29:50Z","timestamp":1792171790000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dx.plos.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0358320"}},"subtitle":[],"editor":[{"given":"I Gede","family":"Juanamasta","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"STIKES Wira Medika PPNI Bali: Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Kesehatan Wira Medika PPNI Bali","place":["INDONESIA"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"editor"}]}],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]]},"references-count":45,"journal-issue":{"issue":"10","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.0358320","relation":{},"ISSN":["1932-6203"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1932-6203","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,16]]}}}