Unmet Needs Despite Supportive Services Linked With Depression in Older Adults

Depressive symptoms were higher among older adults when needs identified upon entering long-term services and supports (LTSS) remained unmet 3 months later, according to a study published online in the journal Innovation in Aging. 

“The transition to LTSS is a vulnerable time for older adults,” wrote researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. “Assessing the need for equipment, transportation, and social activities during this period may identify opportunities to improve the lives and emotional status of this population.” 

LTSS are provided to older adults with physical and cognitive disabilities in settings such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, or via community-based services for people living at home. Researchers used the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS) to gauge depressive symptoms for 352 older adults within 60 days of enrollment in LTSS and again 3 months later. 

At baseline, 29% of participants reported a need for supportive equipment, 30% for transportation, and 23% for social activities, according to the study. Three months later, an average 12% of participants reported their needs were met, and 13% reported their needs persisted. Meanwhile, 11% of participants reported new needs.

“Given the findings, among all three needs, the depression scores for LTSS recipients who had their needs met did not differ significantly from those who had no needs at all… Among LTSS recipients who had persistent needs, the GDS scores were statistically significantly higher than those who had no needs at all,” researchers wrote. “Finally, LTSS recipients who reported new needs did not differ significantly from those who had no needs at all.” 

The 3-month period in which new needs emerged may not have been long enough to affect depressive symptoms, researchers hypothesized. 

—Jolynn Tumolo 

Reference: 

Rivera E, Hirschman KB, Naylor MD. Reported Needs and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults Entering Long-Term Services and Supports. Innov Aging. 2020;4(3):igaa021. Published 2020 Jun 9. doi:10.1093/geroni/igaa021