Predictors of Older Adults Who Started or Continued Living Homebound

Living homebound impacts negatively the health and life conditions of the aged, demanding assistance from caregivers, health professionals, and homecare health services. This study aimed to determine the longitudinal predictors of older adults who started or continued living homebound. Data from the first and second waves of a prospective Brazilian population-based cohort study were analyzed. Outcomes were extracted from the Daily Life Activities Scale. The prevalence of living homebound, at baseline, was 7.3% (95% CI: 5.9;8.9). For older adults with less than 70 years, social aspects play a role in predicting living homebound. Regardless the age, needing caregiver assistance, taking more than 5 medicines/day, having suspected depression, and chewing difficulty predict the beginning and continuity of living homebound. Stakeholders, health professionals, and families must be aware of these conditions to face homeboundness and organize better care strategies.