British Journal of Psychiatry, 197(6), December 2010, pp.463-467.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
This study tested the effectiveness of home treatment for elderly people with depression living independently in Austria. Sixty out-patients aged 65 and over with major depression were either allocated to a home treatment model over a 1-year period or to conventional psychiatric out-patient care. Home treatment was delivered by a multidisciplinary team consisting of one psychiatrist, two psychologists and one social worker who was also qualified as a psychiatric nurse. Treatment included talks about self-esteem, coping resources and medication adherence; encouragement to establish and maintain social networks, increase social and leisure activities and cope with tasks of daily living; support of carers; and crisis interventions when required. The primary outcome was the level of depressive symptoms after 3 and 12 months. The secondary outcomes were global functioning, subjective quality of life, admissions to nursing homes, duration of psychiatric hospital treatments and the cost of care. Findings revealed that the individuals receiving home treatment had significantly fewer symptoms of depression, better global functioning and a higher quality of life at 3 months and at 12 months. In the 1 year period there were fewer admissions to nursing homes, they spent less time in psychiatric in-patient care and the overall cost of care was lower. The study concluded that home treatment appeared to be an effective and cost-effective service model for elderly people with depression.
This study tested the effectiveness of home treatment for elderly people with depression living independently in Austria. Sixty out-patients aged 65 and over with major depression were either allocated to a home treatment model over a 1-year period or to conventional psychiatric out-patient care. Home treatment was delivered by a multidisciplinary team consisting of one psychiatrist, two psychologists and one social worker who was also qualified as a psychiatric nurse. Treatment included talks about self-esteem, coping resources and medication adherence; encouragement to establish and maintain social networks, increase social and leisure activities and cope with tasks of daily living; support of carers; and crisis interventions when required. The primary outcome was the level of depressive symptoms after 3 and 12 months. The secondary outcomes were global functioning, subjective quality of life, admissions to nursing homes, duration of psychiatric hospital treatments and the cost of care. Findings revealed that the individuals receiving home treatment had significantly fewer symptoms of depression, better global functioning and a higher quality of life at 3 months and at 12 months. In the 1 year period there were fewer admissions to nursing homes, they spent less time in psychiatric in-patient care and the overall cost of care was lower. The study concluded that home treatment appeared to be an effective and cost-effective service model for elderly people with depression.
Subject terms:
home care, mental health services, older people, outcomes, psychotherapy, randomised controlled trials, treatment, therapy and treatment, cost effectiveness, depression;
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.
Provides a reference source for various modes of care (both formal and informal) for older people throughout Europe. Each chapter follows the same format and covers: demography; socio-political and administrative background; social security and pensions; housing; health care; mental health care; residential care; personal social services; voluntary care agencies and support organisations; leisure pursuits and education; and older people in rural areas.
Subject terms:
housing, informal care, leisure, leisure activities, mental health services, older people, pensions, population, residential care, rural areas, social policy, social care provision, voluntary organisations, benefits, care homes, comparative studies, demographics, education, health care;