scholarly journals Factors to assess depression in homebound older adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 236-241
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Thomas ◽  
Robin J. Jacobs ◽  
Joshua Caballero ◽  
Raymond L. Ownby ◽  
Elizabeth M. Lessmann ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The number of homebound older adults is expected to increase as the elderly population grows. Many homebound older persons may be at high risk for depression, which has been associated with adverse health outcomes. The objective of this study was to identify selected factors that may predict depression in the homebound older population. Methods: Data from 340 homebound adults, aged 65 and older who were enrolled in Broward Meals on Wheels and who participated in a telephone survey were analyzed. Participants were asked to report demographic information, health status, medication-taking behaviors, mental health, and life satisfaction. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify predictors of depressed mood in this sample of older adults. Results: The majority of the sample (aged 65–95 years; mean, 77 years) were female (76.5%), white (77.1%), and living alone (52.6%). Multivariate modeling indicated that difficulty remembering the number of prescribed medications to be taken, feeling groggy after taking certain medications, poor self-reported health status, taking anxiety medications, and less satisfaction with life explained 34% (adjusted R2) of the variance in predicting depressed mood (F = 33.1, df = 5, P < .001). Discussion: Multiple factors related to medication use were identified that may contribute to higher levels of depressed mood in homebound older adults. These factors found in our study may be used to create a screening model to be used by pharmacists to identify homebound older adults who would benefit from further assessment for depression.

Author(s):  
Jiyeon Kim ◽  
Mikyong Byun ◽  
Moonho Kim

Background: Previous studies have proposed various physical tests for screening fall risk in older adults. However, older adults may have physical or cognitive impairments that make testing difficult. This study describes the differences in individual, physical, and psychological factors between adults in good and poor self-rated health statuses. Further, we identified the physical or psychological factors associated with self-rated health by controlling for individual variables. Methods: Data from a total of 1577 adults aged 65 years or over with a history of falls were analyzed, using the 2017 National Survey of Older Persons in South Korea. Self-reported health status was dichotomized as good versus poor using the 5-point Likert question: “poor” (very poor and poor) and “good” (fair, good, and very good). Results: Visual/hearing impairments, ADL/IADL restriction, poor nutrition, and depression were more frequently observed in the group with poor self-rated health. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that poor self-reported health was significantly associated with hearing impairments (OR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.12–2.03), ADL limitation (OR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.11–2.81), IADL limitation (OR: 2.27, 95% CI 1.68–3.06), poor nutrition (OR: 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.77), and depression (OR 3.77, 95% CI 2.81–5.06). Conclusions: Auditory impairment, ADL/IADL limitations, poor nutrition, and depression were significantly associated with poor self-reported health. A self-rated health assessment could be an alternative tool for older adults who are not able to perform physical tests.


2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 1543-1548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dara Sorkin ◽  
Angela L. Tan ◽  
Ron D. Hays ◽  
Carol M. Mangione ◽  
Quyen Ngo-Metzger

2017 ◽  
Vol 87 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevilay S. Celik ◽  
Yusuf Celik ◽  
Neset Hikmet ◽  
Mahmud M. Khan

This study aimed to examine the determinants of life satisfaction of older adults in Turkey. The sample consisted of 2,959 older adults over 65 years. The effects of psychological, daily life and instrumental activity, physical health and health status, and other important variables on life satisfaction were analyzed. The variables lessening life satisfaction for older adults included poverty, a lower self-reported health status, a decline in physical health, ability to chew, ability to do household activities, and an increase in feelings of depression and feeling social withdrawn. In contrast, being married, having a higher education level, and having an income-generating work increased life satisfaction among older adults. This study suggests the necessity of developing local and national policies that enable older adults to become more active in their communities. These policies should be coordinated under the framework of national aging policies that bridge health, social, and economic issues.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy L. Smith ◽  
Kelly Carr ◽  
Alexandra Wiseman ◽  
Kelly Calhoun ◽  
Nancy H. McNevin ◽  
...  

The identification of barriers to physical activity and exercise has been used for many decades to explain exercise behavior in older adults. Typically health concerns are the number one barrier to participation. Data from CCHS-HA dataset(N=20,875)were used to generate a sample of Canadians, 60+ years, who did not identify a health condition limitation, illness, or injury as a barrier to participation in physical activity(n=4,900)making this dataset unique in terms of the study of barriers to participation. While the vast majority of older adults participated in physical activity, 9.4% did not. The relationships between nonparticipation, barriers, self-reported health status, and chronic health conditions were determined using binary logistic regression. The main findings suggest that traditional barriers and self-reported health status are not responsible for nonparticipation. Nonparticipation was best predicted by chronic health conditions suggesting a disconnect between self-reported health status and underlying health conditions. The data are clear in suggesting that barriers are not the limiting factor and physical activity programming must be focused on meeting the health needs of our aging population.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yun-Tsung Chen ◽  
Po-Fu Lee ◽  
Chi-Fang Lin ◽  
Andy Chang ◽  
Yu-Chun Chung ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Through this study, we aimed to determine the association of regular leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) with self-reported body mass index (BMI) and obesity risk among middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study and reviewed the data derived from the Taiwan’s National Physical Activity Survey (TNPAS). Responses from 12,687 participants aged 45–108 years from the database were collected in this study. All participants completed a standardized, structured questionnaire that solicitated information regarding their demographic characteristics (age, gender, education, occupation, and self-reported health status), physical activity behaviors (regular/nonregular LTPA), and self-reported anthropometrics (height, weight, and BMI). Multiple linear and logistic regression were used to examine the association between regular LTPA and BMI as well as between regular LTPA and obesity status, respectively. Results Regular LTPA was associated with a male preponderance, normal weight, excellent or good self-reported health status, and a lower rate of underweight compared with nonregular LTPA. Regular LTPA was significant negatively associated with underweight (OR = 0.71, p < 0.05), whereas it had no significant relationship with BMI and obesity (p > 0.05). Conclusions Regular LTPA was associated with a reduced risk of underweight among middle-aged and elderly adults in Taiwan. Further research on the relevant mechanism underlying this phenomenon is warranted.


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