OBJECTIVES: This study investigates health outcomes of older individuals who reported on their level of satisfaction with support given to family, friends, or community organizations. METHODS: A 3-year prospective cohort study of women aged 65 and older. RESULTS: Higher scores on the giving support scale predicted better lower-body function (Beta = .06; SE .02; p = .02) and less ADL difficulty (Beta = -.18; SE .04; p = .0001). The scale was also significantly associated with future hospitalization and death. Women in the lowest quartile were 28% more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk [RR] 1.28; 95% CI 1.00 - 1.65; p = .05) and 52% more likely to die (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.26; p = .03) compared with those who scored in the highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that level of satisfaction with support given to family or friends or the community is associated with future health of the older person.
OBJECTIVES: This study investigates health outcomes of older individuals who reported on their level of satisfaction with support given to family, friends, or community organizations. METHODS: A 3-year prospective cohort study of women aged 65 and older. RESULTS: Higher scores on the giving support scale predicted better lower-body function (Beta = .06; SE .02; p = .02) and less ADL difficulty (Beta = -.18; SE .04; p = .0001). The scale was also significantly associated with future hospitalization and death. Women in the lowest quartile were 28% more likely to be hospitalized (relative risk [RR] 1.28; 95% CI 1.00 - 1.65; p = .05) and 52% more likely to die (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.03 - 2.26; p = .03) compared with those who scored in the highest quartile. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that level of satisfaction with support given to family or friends or the community is associated with future health of the older person.
Authors: Katie E Cherry; Erin Jackson Walker; Jennifer Silva Brown; Julia Volaufova; Lynn R LaMotte; David A Welsh; L Joseph Su; S Michal Jazwinski; Rebecca Ellis; Robert H Wood; Madlyn I Frisard Journal: J Appl Gerontol Date: 2011-06-06