Abstract: Objective: To systematically review the service needs among the elderly in long-term care facilities in Chinese mainland, and provide a reference for service provision in long-term care facilities. Methods: We searched databases for qualitative studies on this topic from database inception to May 2022. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies (2020) was used to evaluate the quality of included studies. These studies were synthesized using the meta-synthesis method. Results: A total of 13 studies were included. We extracted 53 items of service needs among the elderly, which were categorized into seven subthemes and further synthesized into three themes: Demands for integration of medical treatment and convalesce; Demands for humanistic care; Demands on the physical and social environment. Conclusion: The elderly in long-term care facilities have high demands for various services, such as daily care, health care, social function, psychology and spirit, individual value and dignity, and the "hardware and software" environment of the facilities. It is suggested that the government, long-term care facilities, and elderly family members should make joint efforts to meet the diversified and individualized needs of the elderly.

Key words: long-term care facilities; the elderly; service needs; qualitative study; systematic review; evidence-based nursing