Objective: We sought to understand how functional status, impairment level, and use of assistive devices change over 3 years for older adults with depressive symptoms. We further explored factors that predict change in severity of depressive symptoms.
Method: This study used data from the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Aging Consumer Assessment Study, a longitudinal study of coping strategies of elders with disabilities. Seventy-three participants with depressive symptoms were interviewed at baseline and 3 years later.
Results: During 3 years, participants experienced increased physical disability (p = .001), a decline in severity of depressive symptoms (p = .03), and an increase in the total number of assistive devices owned.
Conclusion: A significant number of older adults will experience a decrease in depressive symptoms over 3 years, despite an increase in physical disability. They also will obtain more assistive devices as they age.