| dc.description.abstract | Background. Worldwide, the number of older adults (65+) is growing. From 2025 till 2050 it is expected that the global older population will double. Looking at this increase, it is to be expected that the older adults in need of home care will increase significantly. Meanwhile, the number of older adults being hospitalized is also increasing. Therefore, to support hospitals in this increase of admissions, it is important to prevent hospitalization by identifying predictors. Studies about these predictors are inconsistent and no studies have been performed among older adults that receive home care.
Research question. Which factors predict hospitalization among older adults (65+) receiving home care?
Method. Secondary data analysis has been performed using data with one-year of follow-up. The data was previously collected from 2010 till 2012 in the Utrecht Primary Care PROactive Frailty Trial. Hospitalization is a combined endpoint including visiting the emergency department. Univariate logistic regression analysis has been performed to determine associations between hospitalization and predictors and finally multiple logistic regression analysis to create the final model.
Results. In total, 709 participants were included, with a median age of 81 years and 222 have been hospitalized. In the final model, seven predictors were included; age (OR:0.97; 95%CI:0.95-1.00), female sex (OR:0.60; 95%CI:0.38-0.93), problems with self-care (OR:1.87; 95%CI:1.15-3.01), anxiety/depression (OR:1.19; 95%CI:0.74-1.93), functional limitations (OR:1.13; 95%CI:1.02-1.24), mental health (OR:1.00; 95%CI:0.99-1.01) and visiting the general practitioner (OR:1.55; 95%CI:1.07-2.25).
Conclusion. Four predictors are strongest associated with hospitalization. The female gender and visiting the general practitioner are protective factors of being hospitalized. Problems with self-care and functional limitations increase the risk on hospitalization.
Recommendations. Assembling the existing evidence on how to address the predictors functional limitations and problems with self-care is recommended. Also, further research should be done with a larger sample size. | |
