Predictors and Frailty Level in the Frail Elderly Receiving Home Visiting Health Care Services / 農村醫學 地域保健

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors and frailty level in the frail elderly receiving home visiting health care services. METHODS: The subjects were 177 frail elders aged over 65 registered in the home visiting health care services of three public health centers in Daegu. The data collection was performed from June 9 to June 24, 2015. This study used descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, scheffe test and stepwise multiple regression by SPSS Win 18.0 program. RESULTS: The mean of the frailty score was 10.05 (±4.52). Age and life satisfaction were the significant factors related to the frailty score in frail elderly. Health promotion behavior, empowerment, social participation and perceived health status had a negative correlation with the frailty score. Thirty seven point four percent of the variance in the frailty score can be explained by perceived health status (β=-0.398, p<0.001), health promotion behavior (β=-0.251, p<0.001) and age (β=0.232, p<0.001)(Cum R2=0.374, F=25.744, p<0.001). Perceived health status was the most important factor related to the frailty score in our study. CONCLUSIONS: An integrative care program which includes these significant variables of subjects is essential to prevent the deterioration of frailty in frail elderly.