Effects of a community-based early intervention program on the subjective well-being, institutionalization, and mortality of low-income elders

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an early Interventive social service program on the subjective wellbeing, permanent institutionalization, and mortality risk of low-income community-dwelling elders. Design and Methods: From a waiting list for community-based services, 105 "moderately at-risk" community-dwelling elders were recruited. Forty of these persons were randomly assigned to receive the intervention, and the remainder did not receive the intervention. Participants were interviewed every 3 months for 18 months. Primary outcome measures were depression, satisfaction with social relationships, environmental mastery, life satisfaction, permanent institutionalization, and mortality. Results: No significant differences in sociodemographic or health characteristics were found between the intervention and control groups at baseline. Those elders who received the intervention had significantly higher subjective well-being and were less likely to be institutionalized or die than those in the comparison group across the 18-month period. Implications: The results make a strong case for the Importance of community-based programs to the well-being of elders. Practitioners and policy makers should continue the search for community-based programs that are cost-effective and improve the quality of life for elders.