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Satisfaction with support given and its association with subsequent health status
Glenn V Ostir1, Eleanor Simonsick, Judith D Kasper
1University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. gostir@utmb.edu
Objectives:
This study investigates health outcomes of older individuals who reported on their level of satisfaction with support given to family, friends, or community organizations.
Methods:
A 3-year prospective cohort study of women aged 65 and older.
Results:
Higher scores on the giving support scale predicted better lower-body function (Beta = .06; SE .02; p = .02) and less ADL difficulty (Beta = -.18; SE .04; p = .0001). The scale was also significantly associated with future hospitalization and death. Women in the lowest quartile were 28% more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk [RR] 1.28; 95% CI 1.00 - 1.65; p = .05) and 52% more likely to die (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.26; p = .03) compared with those who scored in the highest quartile.
Conclusions:
Our results demonstrate that level of satisfaction with support given to family or friends or the community is associated with future health of the older person.