Table 2.
Posthospital Functional Ability and Home Health Utilization Comparing Patients Living Alone Versus with Others After Discharge
| Characteristic | Alone (n=141) n(%) | With Others (n=171) n(%) | P Value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional ability after discharge | |||
| Dependent in 1-2 ADLs† | 54 (38) | 73 (42.7) | |
| Dependent in 3-6 ADLs | 3 (2) | 34 (19.9) | .001‡ |
| Unable to or needs help with | |||
| Dressing | 17 (12) | 47 (27) | .001 |
| Eating | 2 (1) | 25 (14) | .001 |
| Toileting | 2 (1) | 24 (14) | .001 |
| Transferring | 3 (2) | 27 (16) | .001 |
| Walking across a room | 3 (2) | 17 (10) | .003 |
| Dependent in 1-3 IADLs§ | 64 (45) | 43 (25) | |
| Dependent in 4-7 IADLs | 74 (52) | 126 (74) | .001‡ |
| Unable to or needs help with | |||
| Preparing meals | 74 (52) | 132 (77) | .001 |
| Taking medication | 45 (32) | 98 (57) | .001 |
| Uses assistive device‖ | 69 (50) | 90 (53) | .564 |
| Homebound¶ | 86 (61) | 94 (55) | .284 |
| Received home health services from# | |||
| Registered nurse | 140 (99.3) | 169 (100) | .273 |
| Physical therapist | 64 (45.4) | 91 (53.9) | .138 |
| Occupational therapist | 36 (25.5) | 30 (17.8) | .096 |
| Home health aide | 71 (50.4) | 59 (34.9) | .006 |
*
Test for significance comparing living alone versus living with someone.
†
Activities of daily living (ADL), maximum = 6 (bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, walking and eating).
‡
χ2test for ordinal variables.
§
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), maximum = 7 (telephoning, transportation, shopping, meal preparation, housework, medications and ability to handle finances).
‖
Assistive device included cane, wheeled walker, standard walker, and wheelchair.
¶
Homebound defined as not going outdoors even when the weather was favorable.
#
Data available on 141 patients living alone, 169 living with others.