Associations Between Recent Bereavement and Psychological and Financial Burden in Homebound Older Adults. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghesquiere, Angela R.; Bazelais, Kisha N.; Berman, Jacquelin; Greenberg, Rebecca L.; Kaplan, Daniel; Bruce, Martha L.
• Is Part Of: Omega. Volume 73:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 326
• Page End: 339
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: bereavement -- mental health -- homebound older adults; Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Bereavement -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Death -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Suicide -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1177/0030222815590709
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0030-2228

Abstract

Introduction: Bereavement is common in older adults, but it remains unknown whether bereavement contributes to poor outcomes in the vulnerable population of older adults receiving home-based services. We examine whether recent bereavement was associated with worse physical or mental health, presence of abuse or neglect, and financial strain. Research Design: Cross-sectional analyses of an assessment of functional and social vulnerabilities collected by the New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA), the largest Area Agency on Aging in New York. Assessments were completed on 5, 576 New York City Department for the Aging long-term care program, recipients aged ≥60 who received services in 2012. Assessment also collected data on partner or child death in the last year. Results: Logistic regression indicated that the recently bereaved were more likely than the nonbereaved to report both depression symptoms and financial strain. Conclusion: Enhanced efforts to identify and address mental health and financial concerns in bereaved homebound older adults may be warranted.