Factors to assess depression in homebound older adults

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.

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.

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).

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.