Multidimensional factors affecting homebound older adults: A systematic review.
JuHee Lee, Yujin Suh, Yielin Kim
PMID 34779108WHAT IT FOUND
Homebound older adults were often defined as leaving home less than once a week.
Reported prevalence ranged from 3.5% to 39.8%. Advanced age, female sex, cognitive impairment, and home-entry barriers were common factors.
Key findings
01Homebound status was usually defined by leaving home less than once a week, and reported prevalence ranged from 3.5% to 39.8%.
02Advanced age was the most common individual predictor, followed by female sex and cognitive impairment.
03Home entry and exit barriers were the most common structural factor, including stairs, no elevator, heavy doors, raised entry floors, and no car access.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Different studies used different definitions of homebound, so the 3.5% to 39.8% range is not a single true prevalence. No meta-analysis was possible because the definitions were too heterogeneous. Impact findings came from few studies with different outcomes, so they cannot be combined. Only English-language studies were searched, which may miss relevant work. The review reports associations from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, not effects of therapy. Quality appraisal did not exclude any study, and exposure measurement was unclear for 13 studies.
Declared interests
The supplied metadata lists research support from a non-U.S. government source. No author conflict-of-interest declaration is included in the supplied text.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this review as evidence that PT, OT, or nursing interventions reduce homebound status. It summarizes observational studies with different homebound definitions, so it reports associations and varied prevalence, not treatment effects.