Aims
This study investigated the GEM@Home program of Geelong, Victoria, a home-based program for community-dwelling older adults, delivering daily visitation of a multidisciplinary team, and comprehensive geriatric assessment. The aims were to determine whether GEM@Home improved patients’ mood, self-efficacy and quality-of-life, at discharge from the program and at 3-month follow-up, compared with admission. The secondary measures were physical confidence and carer confidence.
Methods
Patients admitted to the GEM@Home program between December 2021 to March 2022 were included. Outcome measures were obtained using self-reported surveys completed on admission, discharge and at 3-months. A total of 65 patients completed admission and discharge surveys. Fifty-two patients completed surveys at 3-month follow-up via telephone.
Results
Depression, measured by the geriatric depression scale (GDS-5), demonstrated a marked decrease at 3-month follow-up (p<0.001) and a reduced number of participants indicated scores consistent with clinical depression (p=0.002). General self-efficacy scale (GSE) scores were improved at discharge and maintained at 3-month follow-up (p=0.001; p=0.009 respectively). A significant improvement was seen in Older-People’s-Quality-of-life-Brief score (OPQOL-Brief) at 3-month follow-up (p=0.008). Physical mobility confidence was transiently improved at discharge (p=0.027) but not maintained at 3 months. No significant difference was seen in carer confidence.
Conclusions
The GEM@Home program had a significant benefit on the study cohort, with depression, self-efficacy and quality-of-life markedly improved after participation. This suggests home-based programs offer significant holistic benefit to the geriatric population. Future research will investigate which components of the program are the most beneficial and contribute to change in the delivery of care.