The effects of community-based home health care on the physical and mental health of older adults with chronic diseases

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of community-based home health care (HHC) on the physical and mental health of older adults with chronic diseases in China.

Methods: The study data were retrieved from the 2018 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Ordinary least squares regression model was used to assess the effects of community-based HHC on the health. Entropy balancing was used to test the robustness of the regression results.

Results: A total of 5571 older adults with chronic diseases were included. The results showed that older adults who had received community-based HHC reported significantly better self-rated health (coefficient = 0.051, 95%CI [0.004, 0.098]), less physical discomfort (coefficient = - 0.021, 95%CI [- 0.042, - 0.001]), lower depression scores (coefficient = - 0.263, 95%CI [- 0.490, - 0.037]), and lower anxiety scores (coefficient = - 0.233, 95%CI [- 0.379, - 0.088]) compared with those who had not received community-based HHC. Overall, community-based HHC conferred greater positive effects on the health of rural older adults, older adults with multiple chronic diseases, and older adults with low incomes.

Conclusion: Community-based HHC was beneficial for improving self-rated health and reducing physical discomfort, depression, and anxiety in older adults with chronic diseases, thus improving their quality of life. It is important to promote its development nationwide in China.

Keywords: China; Chronic disease; Community-based home health care; Older adults.