@article {8267, title = {Does Mode of Contact with Different Types of Social Relationships Predict Depression in Older Adults? Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey}, journal = {Journal of the American Geriatrics Society}, volume = {63}, year = {2015}, pages = {2014}, publisher = {63}, abstract = {ObjectivesTo determine associations between use of three different modes of social contact (in person, telephone, written or e-mail), contact with different types of people, and risk of depressive symptoms in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults. DesignPopulation-based observational cohort. SettingUrban and suburban communities throughout the contiguous United States. ParticipantsIndividuals aged 50 and older who participated in the Health and Retirement Survey between 2004 and 2010 (N = 11,065). MeasurementsFrequency of participant use of the three modes of social contact with children, other family members, and friends at baseline were used to predict depressive symptoms (measured using the eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) 2 years later using multivariable logistic regression models. ResultsProbability of having depressive symptoms steadily increased as frequency of in-personbut not telephone or written or e-mail contactdecreased. After controlling for demographic, clinical, and social variables, individuals with in-person social contact every few months or less with children, other family, and friends had a significantly higher probability of clinically significant depressive symptoms 2 years later (11.5 ) than those having in-person contact once or twice per month (8.1 ; P .001) or once or twice per week (7.3 ; P .001). Older age, interpersonal conflict, and depression at baseline moderated some of the effects of social contact on depressive symptoms. ConclusionFrequency of in-person social contact with friends and family independently predicts risk of subsequent depression in older adults. Clinicians should consider encouraging face-to-face social interactions as a preventive strategy for depression.}, keywords = {Demographics, Health Conditions and Status, Healthcare, Methodology, Retirement Planning and Satisfaction}, author = {Alan R Teo and Choi, Hwajung and Sarah B. Andrea and Marcia A. Valenstein and Jason T Newsom and Dobscha, Steven K. and Zivin, Kara} } @article {6918, title = {Extent and cost of informal caregiving for older Americans with symptoms of depression.}, journal = {Am J Psychiatry}, volume = {161}, year = {2004}, month = {2004 May}, pages = {857-63}, publisher = {161}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to obtain nationally representative estimates of the additional time and cost associated with informal caregiving for older Americans with depressive symptoms.

METHOD: Data from the 1993 Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old Study, a nationally representative survey of people age 70 years or older (N=6,649), were used to determine the weekly hours and imputed costs of informal caregiving for elderly people with no depressive symptoms in the last week, one to three depressive symptoms in the last week, and four to eight depressive symptoms in the last week.

RESULTS: Forty-four percent of survey respondents reported one to three depressive symptoms, and 18\% reported four to eight depressive symptoms. In multivariate regression analyses that adjusted for sociodemographics, caregiver network, and coexisting chronic health conditions, respondents with no depressive symptoms received an average of 2.9 hours per week of informal care, compared with 4.3 hours per week for those with one to three symptoms and 6.0 hours per week for those with four to eight symptoms. Caregiving associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Americans represented a yearly cost of about $9 billion.

CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms in elderly persons are independently associated with significantly higher levels of informal caregiving, even after the effects of major coexisting chronic conditions are adjusted. The additional hours of care attributable to depressive symptoms represent a significant time commitment for family members and, therefore, a significant societal economic cost. Further research should evaluate the causal pathways by which depressive symptoms lead to high levels of caregiving and should examine whether successful treatment of depression reduces the need for informal care.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Caregivers, Comorbidity, Costs and Cost Analysis, Depressive Disorder, Fees and Charges, Female, Health Care Costs, Home Nursing, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Personality Inventory, Workload}, issn = {0002-953X}, doi = {10.1176/appi.ajp.161.5.857}, author = {Kenneth M. Langa and Marcia A. Valenstein and A. Mark Fendrick and Mohammed U Kabeto and Sandeep Vijan} }