Modifiable risk factors for homebound progression among those with and without dementia in a longitudinal survey of community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Being homebound is independently associated with increased mortality but the homebound population is heterogeneous. In order to improve precision medicine, we analyzed potentially modifiable factors that contribute to homebound progression (from independent to needing assistance, to homebound), stratified by dementia status.

Methods: Using National Aging and Trends Survey (NHATS), a nationally-representative, longitudinal annual survey from 2011 to 2017 (n = 11,528), we categorized homebound progression if one transitioned from independent or needing assistance to homebound, including competing risks of institutionalization or death between 2011 and last year of data available for each unique respondent. Using proportional hazards regression, we calculated hazard ratios of potentially modifiable risk factors on homebound progression.

Results: Depressive symptoms, mobility impairment, and pain increased risk of homebound progression regardless of dementia status. Social isolation increased risk of homebound progression only among those without dementia at baseline.

Conclusion: Future clinical care and research should focus on the treatment of depressive symptoms, mobility, and pain to potentially delay progression to homebound status.