Recorded presentation

Michiyo Hashimoto, PhD¹, Takashi Muto, MD, PhD¹, and Toshiko Takahashi, RN². (1) Department of Public Health Sciences, Dokkyo University School of Medicine, Mibu-machi, Shimotsuga-gun, Tochigi, 321-0293, Japan, +81-282-87-2133, michiyoh@dokkyomed.ac.jp, (2) Hoken-Dohjinsha, Inc., 4-4, Ichibancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan

Background: A few studies have reported the epidemiology and characteristics of the housebound population. Although the criteria of the housebound vary depending on the researchers, approximately 10% of the elderly Japanese are considered housebound. This study investigated the characteristics of the housebound elderly in Japan. Method: Subjects were recipients of elderly healthcare services offered by a private company. There were 1,425 subjects (male=26.7%; female=73.3%), and their average age was 77.7 years old. All subjects received a phone interview followed by the visit of a registered nurse to their house. One visit session was 60 to 90 minutes long. In this study, the housebound was defined as going out once a week or less. This criterion was often used in previous studies. Results: There were 14.1% of the subjects (N=201) categorized as the housebound group, while 1,224 subjects comprised the non-housebound group. The housebound group had significantly higher mean age, more frequently lived with their children, had a lower level of activities of daily living skills and a lower subjective quality of life, were more forgetful, currently receiving more medical treatment and medications, and were less physically independent than the non-housebound group. Multivariate analysis indicated that the level of physical independence and the subjective quality of life were major factors associated with the housebound status. Conclusion: Future research needs to address the associations among physical, psychological, and environmental factors of the housebound in order to establish effective intervention strategies.

Learning Objectives:

• Define the housebound
• Describe the prevalence and characteristics of the housebound
• Discuss effective intervention strategies for this population

Keywords: Elderly, Community Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation