Objective To summarize the existing research on non-specific complaints among elderly patients in emergency care settings, thereby offering a reference for their clinical management. Methods A scoping review methodology was utilized, involving comprehensive computer searches of pertinent domestic and international databases for literature concerning non-specific complaints in elderly emergency patients, covering a timeframe from database inception to August 2024. Two researchers independently conducted the selection, aggregation, and systematic analysis of the literature. Results A total of 24 articles published between 2010 and 2024 were included. Non-specific complaints in elderly emergency patients (including genera-lized weakness, discomfort, frailty, recent episodes of frequent falls, etc.), associated factors, assessment indicators or tools, and strategies for managing acute onset risks (such as inpatient observation and the integrated use of biomarkers) were summarized. Conclusion Current domestic research on non-specific complaints in elderly emergency patients is still in the early exploratory stage, necessitating further investigation into triage tools, clinical severity grading indicators, and management strategies.