Prevalence of and factors related to homebound and semi‐homebound older adults in a rural area in Japan.

Aim: The homebound status is associated with unhealthy factors and physical disability. However, the prevalence of those who may be at an earlier stage of the homebound status ("semi‐homebound") is unclear. This study thus examines the prevalence of semi‐homebound individuals and identifies the associated physical, psychological, and social factors. Methods: A cross‐sectional study invited 1,157 participants aged 65 years and more in rural Japan. The mean age was 74.7 ± 6.8. The survey questionnaire accounted for different parameters, such as age, sex, homebound status, morbidity, instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and mental health. Ordinal regression analysis examined participants' homebound status; socio‐demographic characteristics; and physical, psychological, and social variables. Results: The prevalence of the homebound status was 0.11 (95%CI = 0.99–0.13), and the semi‐homebound status was 0.30 (95%CI = 0.28–0.33). In the multivariable analysis, the homebound status was negatively associated with IADL (p <.001), mobility (p <.001), being alone during the day (p <.001), depression and anxiety (p <.05), and self‐efficacy for going out (p <.001). Discussion: The prevalence of semi‐homebound individuals was approximately 30%. Homebound and semi‐homebound individuals were associated with older, female, IADL, functional fitness, being alone during the day, depression and anxiety, and self‐efficacy for going out. In the case of psychical, psychological, and social factors, the semi‐homebound individuals revealed that these indicators fluctuated between homebound and non‐homebound. Our findings further focused on semi‐homebound individuals at elevated risks of disability, thereby emphasizing the need for customized intervention. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 1033–1039. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]