Correlates of institutionalization among the oldest old-Evidence from the multicenter AgeCoDe-AgeQualiDe study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Sociology

Background:

• Identifying factors associated with institutionalization in the oldest old (85+) is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Existing research has a gap in understanding correlates of long-term care placement specifically within this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sociodemographic and health-related correlates of institutionalization among individuals aged 86 and over.
• To address the lack of specific studies on institutionalization factors in the oldest-old population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized cross-sectional data from the "Needs, health service use, costs and health-related quality of life in a large sample of oldest-old primary care patients (85+)" study (n=633).
• Included sociodemographic and health variables in a multiple logistic regression model.
• Defined institutionalization as residing in a nursing home or old-age home.

Main Results:

• 20.7% of participants lived in an institutionalized setting.
• Institutionalization risk was significantly higher for those divorced/widowed/single (OR: 5.35), socially isolated (OR: 2.07), experiencing depressive symptoms (OR: 1.11), with cognitive impairment (OR: 1.67), and higher frailty (OR: 1.48).

Conclusions:

• Sociodemographic and health factors significantly correlate with institutionalization in the oldest old.
• Further longitudinal research is recommended to explore these associations in depth.