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Housebound elderly people: Definition, prevalence and characteristics
Author(s) -
Lindesay James,
Thompson Catherine
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930080306
Subject(s) - logistic regression , gerontology , elderly people , sample (material) , medicine , psychology , chemistry , chromatography
This study examines various physical, psychiatric, social and environmental factors associated with being housebound in an urban elderly community sample. Using a narrow definition of houseboundness, the overall rate in this sample was 3.5%; in respondents aged 85 years and over the rate was 20.0%. In a logistic regression analysis, physical health status, age, access to a car, floor of entry to household and household tenure emerged as significant independent predictors of houseboundness. Psychiatric disorder was not independently associated with houseboundness in this analysis. Housebound respondents reported higher rates of both formal and informal care; in those aged 65–74 years this extra care was provided by domiciliary health and social services, but in those aged 85 years and over only care by home helps and by family and friends was increased.