Association between social support and quality of life among homebound elderly

Homebound elderly adults have high levels of physical and cognitive impairments that may influence their quality of life and social interaction. Using data from a prospective observational study examining long term health outcomes among homebound elderly patients enrolled in either a home-based primary care or long term nursing care program, we examined the association between social support and quality of life. All patients (n=180) were screened for cognitive impairment using the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire. Among 85 patients without cognitive impairment, the Quality of Life-AD and Lubben Social Network Scale were used to measure quality of life and social support, respectively. Average age was 82 years (SD= 10), 72% were female, 36% black, 38% Latino, 44% had less than a high school education, 84% not presently married (unmarried, divorced, or widowed) and 71% had a monthly income of less than $1350. Greater social support was associated with greater quality of life in unadjusted linear regression analysis (β = 0.34, p=0.005). This relationship remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, race /ethnicity, and income (β=0.40, p=0.001). In conclusion, greater social support is associated with improved quality of life in homebound older adults. These findings highlight the importance of supportive social interaction for the homebound elderly. Future research is needed to further specify the complex relationship among social support and quality of life among this population of elderly adults.