Major Depression and Subthreshold Depression among Older Adults Receiving Home Care.

TitleMajor Depression and Subthreshold Depression among Older Adults Receiving Home Care.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2018
AuthorsXiang, X, Leggett, AN, Himle, JA, Kales, HC
JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume26
Issue9
Pagination939-949
Date Published05/2018
ISSN Number1545-7214
KeywordsCaregiving, Community-dwelling, Depressive symptoms
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to estimate the prevalence and correlates of major and subthreshold depression and the extent of treatment utilization in older adults receiving home care.

METHODS: The study sample included 811 community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over who received paid home care during the 2008-2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. Depression was assessed using short forms of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Logistic regression was used to examine correlates of depression type and treatment utilization.

RESULTS: One in two older home care recipients suffered from probable depression; 13.4% of the sample suffered from major depression and an additional 38.7% met study criteria for subthreshold depression. The majority (72.7%) of participants with major depression and almost half (44.5%) of participants with subthreshold depression reported taking medication for anxiety or depression. One-third (33.2%) of older home care recipients with major depression and 14.2% of those with subthreshold depression reported receiving formal psychiatric or psychological treatment. Males as compared with females and persons with pain problems as compared with no pain complaints had a higher risk of subthreshold and major depression. The receipt of medication or psychiatric treatment declined with age. African Americans were less likely to receive medication for anxiety or depression compared with non-Hispanic whites.

CONCLUSION: Depression affects a substantial proportion of older adults receiving home care and may be inappropriately treated. Future research is needed to develop optimal strategies for integrating depression assessment and treatment into home care.

DOI10.1016/j.jagp.2018.05.001
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29884541?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalAm J Geriatr Psychiatry
Citation Key9765
PubMed ID29884541
PubMed Central IDPMC6108943
Grant ListK01 AG056557 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P30 AG015281 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States