Discovering and understanding under-served communities

People who are homebound

A homebound person generally finds leaving the home requires substantial effort or assistance and so they have varying degrees of confinement. A lack of contact with the health care system and other social interactions can make people progressively more ill, lonely and depressed.

Reflect on your Medicines Use Reviews

The following quote is taken from a real individual who is homebound. Reflect (use the text-box opposite), and discuss with your pharmacy team the issues this patient has raised:

“I’ve just been given a new medication for stomach cramps and got this dispensed at the pharmacy. I’ve just been asking people who visit me how to take them. It would be nice for the pharmacy to explain new medicines each time, either on the phone or to me.

It just turn up at my door automatically and I take it ... It would be good if the pharmacy provided a home consultation.”
[Pakistani woman, aged 62].

  1. Davidson S and Rossall P (2015) Evidence review: Loneliness in later life. Age UK
  2. Qiu WQ et al (2010) Physical and mental health of homebound older adults: An overlooked population. J Am Geriatr Soc 58:2423–28
Select which of the following statements are true or false?
Homebound people with medical illness and cognitive impairment are less adherent with their treatment.
Correct - It is true - Homebound people with medical illness and cognitive impairment are less adherent with their treatment.
Incorrect - It is true - Homebound people with medical illness and cognitive impairment are less adherent with their treatment.
One-to-one services can be effective in reducing loneliness and the associated negative health.
Correct - One-to-one services can be effective in reducing loneliness and the associated negative health.
Incorrect - It is true - One-to-one services can be effective in reducing loneliness and the associated negative health.
Reflect on your Medicines Use Reviews (MURs)

Bullet point in no more than 200 characters, how you can further support people who are homebound:

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