Effects of a home visiting program for older people with poor health status: a randomized, clinical trial in The Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a home visiting program on health-related measures in a population of older people with poor health status.


METHODS
Randomized, clinical trial.


METHODS
Community-dwelling citizens in The Netherlands.


METHODS
Three hundred thirty people aged 70 to 84 randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=160) or a control group (n=170).


METHODS
Eight home visits, lasting 1 hour or more, with telephone follow-up, over an 18-month period, conducted by experienced home nurses under supervision of a public health nurse; key elements of the (systematic) visits were assessment of health problems and risks, advice, and referral to professional and community services.


METHODS
Self-rated health, functional status, quality of life, and changes in self-reported problems.


RESULTS
No differences were found between the intervention and control group in these and other outcome measures at the end of the intervention period (18 months).


CONCLUSIONS
The home visiting program did not appear to have any effect on the health status of older people with poor health and are probably not beneficial for such persons.
Bouman
Ans
A
Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. ans.nicolaides@epid.unimaas.nl
van Rossum
Erik
E
Ambergen
Ton
T
Kempen
Gertrudis
G
Knipschild
Paul
P
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006304:Health Status; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006792:House Calls; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome