The Relationship between Homebound Status and Occupational Competence, and Its Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective/Background: This study aims to develop a fuller understanding of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes for older adults who were homebound (either occupationally competent or not occupationally competent) and not homebound (either occupationally competent or not occupationally competent). Methods: All the study participants were ≥65 years of age (N = 5,135) and lived in the city of Arakawa (Tokyo, Japan). Questionnaires were inclusive of the Short Form-8 for HRQOL and Occupational Self-Assessment (version 2.1), and were sent to participants by mail. The response rate was 38.7% (1,991/5,135) and the valid rate response was 66.1% (1,317/1,991). The participants were divided into four groups, namely, group A (not homebound/high occupational competence), group B (not homebound/low occupational competence), group C (homebound/high occupational competence), and group D (homebound/low occupational competence). This study analyzed the HRQOL using analysis of variance. Results: Group A (not homebound/high occupational competence) had the highest HRQOL, whereas group D (homebound/low occupational competence) had the lowest HRQOL among the four groups. However, group C (homebound/high occupational competence) had higher HRQOL than group B (not homebound/low occupational competence). Conclusion: Occupational competence is not dependent on homebound status. Having high occupational competence supports higher HRQOL than not being homebound. © 2013.