Homebound: A concept analysis

Homebound older adults who live independently in rural Japan: Prevalence and contributing factors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Being homebound is a phenomenon of confining older adults to their homes owing to health, social, and psychological factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were requested to refrain from going out to prevent infection. Consequently, the homebound status of older adults was influenced by social and environmental factors, resulting in an increase in the number of homebound older adults during the pandemic. This study aimed to determine the homebound prevalence and related factors among homebound older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, a cross-sectional study conducted in rural Saitama, Japan, included 1,020 participants aged 65 years and above who did not have long-term care insurance certification and were independent in instrumental activities of daily living. Herein, homebound individuals were defined as those who went out once a week or less. The relationships of homebound status with demographic, health, social, and psychological factors in older adults were examined. The prevalence of homebound independent older adults was estimated as 10.4 % (6.6 % males, 13.8 % females). Homebound status was significantly associated with one or more medical histories (odds ratio [OR] = 1.98, 95 % confidence interval [CI] = 1.00-3.90), no social or family roles (OR = 1.95, 95 % CI = 1.09-3.48), and no hobbies (OR = 1.84, 95 % CI = 1.02-3.34). Establishing social or family roles and promoting participation in hobbies may prevent older adults from being homebound. The social environment, which changed during the pandemic, should be improved to encourage older adults to go out.

HEPPI: a randomized controlled trial of the efficacy of a cognitive-emotional intervention for homebound older adults

OBJECTIVES

This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of the Homebound Elderly People Psychotherapeutic Intervention (HEPPI), a home-delivered cognitive-emotional intervention, among the homebound older population presenting with mild cognitive impairment and depressive or anxiety symptoms.

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned either to the intervention group or the treatment-as-usual group and completed baseline, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up assessments. Changes in episodic memory and symptoms of depression and anxiety were the primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included changes in global cognition, attentional control, subjective memory complaints, functional status, and quality of life. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis employing a linear mixed models approach. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05499767.

RESULTS

Compared with the treatment-as-usual group, the HEPPI group reported significant immediate improvement in cognition, mood, and daily functional performance. Positive effects of HEPPI were maintained over the follow-up phase only in depressive symptomatology, perceived incapacity to perform advanced instrumental activities of daily living, and self-reported emotional ability. A significant impact of the intervention on the subjective memory complaints level was observed only three months after the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that HEPPI may be a promising home-delivered cognitive-emotional intervention to help homebound older adults improve their mental health.

Effects of interventions on life-space mobility for community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

The present study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the methods and effects of interventions to increase life-space mobility among community-dwelling older adults.

METHODS

Records were identified through nine databases. Eligible study designs for inclusion in the review were randomized controlled trials of interventions on life-space mobility for community-dwelling older adults. The risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 tool. We followed the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach to summarize the evidence.

RESULTS

Four studies (558 participants) identified via search strategies were included. Two studies involved individualized exercise and lifestyle interventions. In three out of the four studies, individual interventions were applied. Overall, when compared with a control group, the intervention group was more likely to positively affect increasing life-space mobility (standardized mean difference 0.47, 95% confidence interval [0.020 to 0.92]). The heterogeneity statistic indicated considerable heterogeneity (I2  = 84%). The evidence was downgraded one step owing to imprecision.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions on increasing life-space mobility for community-dwelling older adults have a positive effect. Combination interventions may be more effective than single interventions, and individual interventions may be more effective than group interventions. However, owing to the limited number of studies, conducting further research to enhance the generalizability of results is crucial. Additionally, subgroup analysis should be conducted to clarify differences in intervention methods and effects. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 842-848.

Dysphagia in Older Adults is Associated With Food Insecurity and Being Homebound

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate relationships between swallowing difficulty (dysphagia) and social determinants of health (SDOH) in older adults ≥65 years. Method: Cross-sectional analyses were performed in community-dwelling Medicare beneficiaries from the National Health & Aging Trends Study (NHATS). The primary exposure was self-reported difficulty chewing/swallowing in the prior month. Dependent measures included a variety of SDOH outcomes (e.g., food insecurity [FI]). Weighted logistic regression models were estimated to determine associations between dysphagia and SDOH outcomes. Results: Of 4041 participants, 428 (10.6%) self-reported dysphagia. In the adjusted model, dysphagia was associated with significantly increased odds for FI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06, 2.07, p = .023) and being homebound (OR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.13, 1.55, p= < .001). Discussion: Older adults with dysphagia had increased odds of FI and being homebound. These associations have implications for health-promoting interventions at the individual and policy levels in older adults.

Being wheelchair-bound and being bedridden: Two concept analyses

AIM

Analysis of the concepts and development of a conceptual definition of being wheelchair-bound and being bedridden.

DESIGN

Concept analysis.

METHODS

Walker and Avant´s concept analysis method was used. A thematic analysis guided the determination of the attributes, antecedents and consequences.

RESULTS

Being wheelchair-bound and being bedridden are defined as permanent states in which people are bound to an object. Being passively bound to a wheelchair and being bedridden both mean an increasing restriction of the life-space. Being passive wheelchair-bound often represents a preliminary stage to being bedridden. Both concepts have six attributes: in need of help, powerlessness, life-space confinement, mobility limitation, endurance and weakness. They differ in the main feature maintaining an independent sitting position. Physical immobility and physiological instability are antecedents with the following influencing factors: illness, complexity, burden, endogenous/exogenous booster. The consequences are the progression of inactivity and all related physical and psycho-social problems.

["If you're no longer able to get out and about …" Validity and differentiation of the concepts of being homebound, wheelchair-bound and bedridden: A Delphi study]

INTRODUCTION

Being place-bound, including the dimensions of being homebound, wheelchair-bound and bedridden, has multifactorial consequences and carries an increased risk of mortality. The prevalence of being homebound and bedridden is high. Valid concepts are necessary to recognize the dimensions of being place-bound in practice and to act preventively or reductively. In preliminary studies, literature-based concept analyses of being homebound, wheelchair-bound and bedridden were carried out and a conceptual model with the following six characteristics was developed: life-space confinement, in need of help, powerlessness, mobility limitation, endurance, weakness. The aim of this study was to test the concept by differentiating and validating the dimensions of the model with regard to characteristics, antecedents, and risk factors.

METHOD

Concept testing was carried out employing the Delphi method based on Fehring's DDV (Differential Diagnostic Validation) model. The CREDES guideline was used for reporting.

RESULTS

Apart from the characteristic of endurance in connection with being wheelchair-bound, general approval was achieved for all six characteristics. Mobility limitation and weakness are the main characteristics of differentiation. Antecedents (physiological instability, physical immobility) and risk factors (illness, complexity, stress, endogenous/exogenous booster) were also consented. Regarding the concepts of being wheelchair-bound and bedridden, there was little consensus on the antecedents of physiological instability. The antecedents of physical immobility through hand strength and hand use received no consensus in any of the dimensions. The German terms of the dimensions, originally coined in English, were confirmed: Hausgebundenheit (being homebound) 78.26%, Rollstuhlgebundenheit (being wheelchair-bound) 60%, Bettlägerigkeit (being bedridden) 80%.

DISCUSSION

With a few exceptions, a high level of consensus regarding the approval/rejection of the characteristics, antecedents, and risk factors of the dimensions of being homebound and bedridden is shown. This unambiguity is not evident in the dimension of wheelchair-boundness. One possible cause is the ambiguity of the term itself (active/passive/permanent/temporary wheelchair use). The rejection of physical immobility through hand strength/use is to be seen critically since this is essential in independent movement of the wheelchair and when turning/sitting down in bed. The fact that bedridden people, on the one hand, need a wheelchair to move and, on the other hand, cannot maintain a sitting position, must also be questioned. If an upright sitting position can be maintained, this must be promoted to support orthostatic stability, which would correspond to being wheelchair-bound.

CONCLUSION

The validity of the dimensions of the model of being place-bound is an essential contribution to evidence-based health care and provides a basis for the development of nursing and interdisciplinary interventions to prevent and reduce being place-bound. Mobility does not only have a major impact on the individual quality of life, but also on the resources of the health care system. Therefore, a valid concept is not only important for science and research, but also for health economy and health policy. However, further studies on validity testing in clinical settings including those affected are necessary.