BACKGROUND: There is little evidence available about what service models are effective in the treatment of elderly people with depression. AIMS: To test the effectiveness of home treatment for elderly people with depression living independently. METHOD: In a randomised controlled trial, 60 out-patients aged over 64 years with major depression were allocated to a home treatment model over a 1-year period or to conventional psychiatric out-patient care. The primary outcome was the level of depressive symptoms after 3 and 12 months. The secondary outcomes were global functioning, subjective quality of life (SQOL), admissions to nursing homes, duration of psychiatric hospital treatments and the cost of care. RESULTS: Individuals receiving home treatment had significantly fewer symptoms of depression, better global functioning and a higher SQOL at 3 months and at 12 months. Over 1 year they had fewer admissions to nursing homes, spent less time in psychiatric in-patient care and the cost of care was lower. CONCLUSIONS: Home treatment appears an effective and cost-effective service model for elderly people with depression.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: There is little evidence available about what service models are effective in the treatment of elderly people with depression. AIMS: To test the effectiveness of home treatment for elderly people with depression living independently. METHOD: In a randomised controlled trial, 60 out-patients aged over 64 years with major depression were allocated to a home treatment model over a 1-year period or to conventional psychiatric out-patient care. The primary outcome was the level of depressive symptoms after 3 and 12 months. The secondary outcomes were global functioning, subjective quality of life (SQOL), admissions to nursing homes, duration of psychiatric hospital treatments and the cost of care. RESULTS: Individuals receiving home treatment had significantly fewer symptoms of depression, better global functioning and a higher SQOL at 3 months and at 12 months. Over 1 year they had fewer admissions to nursing homes, spent less time in psychiatric in-patient care and the cost of care was lower. CONCLUSIONS: Home treatment appears an effective and cost-effective service model for elderly people with depression.
Authors: Laura N Gitlin; Lynn Fields Harris; Megan C McCoy; Nancy L Chernett; Laura T Pizzi; Eric Jutkowitz; Edward Hess; Walter W Hauck Journal: Ann Intern Med Date: 2013-08-20 Impact factor: 25.391
Authors: Laura N Gitlin; Lynn Fields Harris; Megan McCoy; Nancy L Chernett; Eric Jutkowitz; Laura T Pizzi Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2012-02-10 Impact factor: 3.921