Remote Work, Well-Being, and Healthy Labor Force Participation Among Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Background: As populations age globally, extending labor force participation among older adults is a demographic and public health priority. The growth of remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, presents new opportunities for promoting healthy aging at work through increased flexibility, reduced physical strain, and autonomy. However, remote environments may also pose challenges to older adults, including digital exclusion, ergonomic risks, and social isolation, which can impact their physical, mental, and occupational well-being. Objective: This scoping review aimed to synthesize interdisciplinary research on the association between remote work and labor force participation in adults aged 45 years and older, with a focus on health-related outcomes, barriers, and facilitators. Methods: This scoping review was guided by the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and PRISMA-ScR checklist, which incorporates peer-reviewed and gray literature published in 2000 and 2025. The studies included in this scoping review measured work arrangements as flexible, remote, or hybrid and reported employment or a related health outcome in adults aged 45 years and above. Databases were systematically searched in the fields of public health, aging, labor, and management. The Covidence three-step screening protocol was used for the selection. Disagreements among the independent reviewers were noted in 6.7% of titles/abstracts and 12.9% of full texts, and were managed through consensus or third-party adjudication. Data extraction was conducted using a standardized form, and the analysis employed descriptive statistics and thematic synthesis. Results: Of the 2,108 records, 33 met the inclusion criteria. Most of the articles were published after 2020 and originated in North America (45%) and Europe (40%). Common themes included barriers (e.g., digital exclusion and ageism), facilitators (e.g., flexible hours and supportive policies), and health-related outcomes (e.g., stress reduction and improved well-being). Overall, the results were promising; however, few studies have addressed intersectionality or examined its long-term impacts. Only 18% of the studies involved policy evaluation. The predominant research methods were quantitative and qualitative approaches, with fewer mixed-methods and conceptual studies. Conclusion: Flexible, remote, and teleworking arrangements can promote labor force retention and support the mental health of older adults. However, technological inequalities and organizational challenges remain. These findings underscore the importance of age-sensitive workplace policies in fostering a healthy work-life balance and mitigating social exclusion in the virtual workplace.