 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Maryam Navaie-Waliser, DrPH and Aubrey Spriggs, MA. Center for Home Care Policy and Research, Visiting Nurse Service of New York, 5 Penn Plaza, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10001, 212-290-3540, mnavaie@vnsny.org
Introduction: To date, little in known about contributors that enhance health-related functional recovery potential among older adults, especially in a home health setting. This study examined determinants of physical and psychological functional recovery among older home health care recipients. Methods: Home health recipients 50 years or older, post cardiac or lower joint replacement surgery (n = 189) were prospectively interviewed at entry into care and 45 to 60 days later, at or around discharge. Data were collected on sociodemographics, physical and psychological functioning, support structures, and informal and formal home health care. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: The majority of care recipients were women, racial/ethnic minorities, and older than 65 years, and economically disadvantaged. Care recipients received a high volume of formal and informal care. Nearly 60% of care recipients received 3 or more types of formal home health services, 75% had a primary informal caregiver, and 60% also had a secondary informal caregiver. At discharge, functional improvements were observed in psychological health as related to perceived stress, as well as in activities of daily living, and most instrumental activities of daily living. However, no significant improvements in functional recovery were found with depression or physical pain levels. Findings revealed that quantity of formal care and intensity of informal care were important predictors of health recovery, with interaction effects present. Conclusions: Dependent care from formal and informal caregivers had a greater impact on physical rather than psychological recovery, with net functional gains increasing with higher care intensity.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Caregivers, Home Care
Related Web page: www.vnsny.org/research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Visiting Nurse Service of New York
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employer