Baseline hopefulness predicts mortality outcome among the homebound elderly in the community, a recent study found. Identifying elderly individuals who are depressed with hopelessness and providing early intervention may improve the mortality rate. Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data from a community sample of 1,034 adults, aged ≥60 years. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to evaluate the mood symptoms and feeling of hopefulness at baseline. The death data were collected within an 8-year follow-up period. They found:

• In the 8-year follow-up period, frequency of feeling hopeful, but not other individual depressive symptoms, was associated with mortality rate.
• The mortality rate among those who always, sometimes, and rarely felt hopeful were 21.6%, 26.4%, and 35.7%, respectively.
• Logistic regression also confirmed that individuals who rarely feel hopeful had higher odds of decease within the 8-year follow-up period than those who always felt hopeful after adjusting for age and medical conditions.