International Journal of Clinical Case Reports, 2025, Vol.15, No.2, 68-78 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijccr 72 Moreover, community-based home care plays a significant role in supporting elderly individuals living alone in maintaining self-care abilities. By providing daily living assistance and health monitoring services, caregivers help elderly individuals living alone sustain self-care, reducing dependence on institutional care (Lee and Lee, 2020). This support is particularly crucial for elderly individuals with physical disabilities, as they often face higher safety risks in the absence of care. Community-based home care enhances the quality of life for elderly individuals living alone and helps them fulfill their desire to “age in place” in a familiar environment. 4 The Impact of Community-Based Home Care on Mental Health 4.1 Effects on mental health Community-based home care has a significant positive impact on the mental health of elderly individuals, particularly in reducing loneliness and depressive symptoms. As people age, elderly individuals living alone often experience heightened loneliness due to a lack of daily social interactions. Numerous studies have shown that community-based home care can effectively alleviate loneliness and depressive symptoms through regular visits and emotional support. For example, research indicates that caregivers can help mitigate loneliness by establishing relationships and providing emotional support to elderly individuals (Sya'diyah et al., 2020). Additionally, Hanratty et al. (2018) found that loneliness not only impacts mental health but also increases the risk of hospitalization and the need for long-term care, which can be reduced through community-based home care. The psychological support provided by caregivers also helps elderly individuals manage their emotions and reduces depressive symptoms. Research by Barnay and Juin (2016) found that home care supports daily living and alleviates depressive symptoms through regular interactions and emotional care. Similarly, a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that a case-managed care model effectively reduces depression and loneliness while increasing life satisfaction among elderly individuals (Taube et al., 2018). These studies highlight the effectiveness of community-based home care in helping elderly individuals living alone to reduce loneliness and depression, thereby improving overall mental health. 4.2 Establishing social support and emotional connections Community-based home care plays a vital role in helping elderly individuals establish social support networks and emotional connections. Loneliness and social isolation are common issues for elderly individuals living alone, and community-based home care provides an essential platform for them to receive continuous emotional support and social interaction. Through regular visits, caregivers not only provide daily living assistance but also help elderly individuals build stable social support networks, which contribute to emotional stability and improved mental health. Moreover, by facilitating interactions between the community and family, caregivers help elderly individuals engage in more social activities, enhancing their sense of social involvement and belonging. Research by Lim et al. (2022) suggests that social support mediates the effects of loneliness and depression, indicating that caregivers are not only healthcare providers but also serve as a bridge to social life for elderly individuals. By fostering emotional connections, elderly individuals gain not only daily support but also emotional comfort, which enhances life satisfaction. 4.3 Effects on quality of life and life satisfaction Community-based home care significantly improves the quality of life and life satisfaction of elderly individuals. Through systematic care services, elderly individuals receive comprehensive support in physical health, mental health, and social life. Studies have found that home care services improve life satisfaction and quality of life among the elderly. For instance, a study among elderly individuals found that the companionship and support provided by home care staff instill hope and satisfaction with life (Chen et al., 2020). The impact of community-based home care on quality of life is not limited to physical health support but also includes psychological support that enhances the mental well-being of elderly individuals. Grundberg et al. (2016) found that caregivers can help elderly individuals maintain mental balance and reduce anxiety and depression through regular communication and support, thus improving their quality of life. Furthermore, Gerst-Emerson and
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ4ODYzNA==