Depression, Functional Status, Treatment for Psychiatric Problems, and the Health-Related Practices of Elderly HMO Members:

Abstract Purpose. To study relationships between depression, functional limitations, psychiatric treatment, and the health-related practices of elderly individuals. Design. Cross-sectional, observational study based on survey data (response rate = 90%) analyzed using multiple linear and logistic regression models. Setting. Kaiser Permanente Northwest, a large nonprofit HMO. Subjects. Medicare members (4615) aged 65–103 years who responded to a health status survey. Measures. Depression, health and functional status, frequency of alcohol consumption, smoking status, advance medical directive completion, influenza or pneumonia vaccinations, mammograms, recent psychiatric treatment, and attempts to lose weight or increase exercise. Results. Self-reported depression was related to a greater risk of smoking (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54). Health-related functional limitations were related to fewer attempts to change health behaviors and less preventive service use (significant ORs ranged from 0.84 to 0.94). Minority...