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.