The longitudinal relationship between the use of long-term care and depressive symptoms in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate the longitudinal relationship between transitions in the use of long-term care and older adults' depressive symptoms and to investigate whether this relationship could be explained by markers of older adults' underlying health, or other variables including demographics, personality, and partner status.


METHODS
Data were from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, which consists of a random, community-based sample of 3,107 older Dutch people (55-85 years of age) stratified by age and gender. The use of informal care, professional home care, and institutional care was recorded, and respondents were screened on depressive symptoms. Follow-up measurements took place at 3 and 6 years.


RESULTS
Longitudinal analyses showed significant associations between the enduring use of professional long-term care and an increase in depressive symptoms. Transitions to professional home care or institutional care were also associated with considerably more depressive symptoms after 3 years, whereas transitions from professional home care or institutional care to no care or informal care only were not associated with a change in depressive symptoms. Most of the associations remained significant after indicators of underlying health and other covariates were adjusted for, and also after the data were reanalyzed for respondents with and without functional limitations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study does not involve a controlled experiment of professional long-term care among older adults. However, the findings suggest the possibility that receiving professional long-term care could introduce new stressors and increase the risk of depressive symptoms. Our analyses illuminate the concerns of elders regarding their use of professional long-term care and may help in planning for more effective delivery of this type of care.
Pot
Anne Margriet
AM
Netherlands Institute on Mental Health and Addiction Program on Aging, P. O. 725, 3500 AS Utrecht, The Netherlands. ampot@trimbos.nl
Deeg
Dorly J H
DJ
Twisk
Jos W R
JW
Beekman
Aartjan T F
AT
Zarit
Steven H
SH
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged