Association between home care and health phenotype of centenarians: Is it a necessary new criterion in home health care?

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between home care and the health phenotype of Colombian centenarians.

Methods

Cross-sectional study derived from the Colombian Centenarian Cohort Study (COOLCEN Cohort). Through random sampling, centenarians and their families were identified and interviewed in person to assess specific health characteristics and home care.

Results

Fifty centenarians were included in the study, with an average age of 100.9 years. Of these, 74% were women and 96% were beneficiaries of a subsidised health-care system. Eighty-six percent had at least one chronic disease, with arterial hypertension being the most prevalent (86%), 60% were classified as frail older adult, 60% exhibited signs of sarcopenia, 42% experienced at least one fall in the past year, 26% had good nutritional status, and 28% had polypharmacy. Centenarians who did not receive home care were more likely to be free of co-morbidities (29% vs. 8%), had a lower frequency of frailty (50% vs. 75%), sarcopenia (50% vs. 64%), malnutrition (14% vs. 39%), exhibited greater independence (43% vs. 11%) and better functional performance (29% vs. 11%). Receiving home care, whether monthly or comprehensive, was not associated with any health outcomes.

Conclusions

Under the current home care model, there was no association between home care for centenarians and health outcomes. No centenarian without co-morbidities received preventive home care. However, this population faces socio-economic challenges and health needs that could benefit from health education and the implementation of primary care interventions, regardless of the presence of comorbidities.