Erschienen in:
01.11.2014
Change and predictors of quality of life in institutionalized older adults with dementia
verfasst von:
Emilia Castro-Monteiro, Maria João Forjaz, Alba Ayala, Carmen Rodriguez-Blazquez, Gloria Fernandez-Mayoralas, Alicia Diaz-Redondo, Pablo Martinez-Martin
Erschienen in:
Quality of Life Research
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Ausgabe 9/2014
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Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to assess the change in and predictive factors of the quality of life (QoL) of institutionalized older adults with dementia over a 20-month period.
Methods
Information was used from a follow-up study conducted over an average period of 19.61 ± 1.93 months on a sample of 274 institutionalized older adults aged 60 or over, diagnosed with dementia. Two linear regression models were built to predict change in the EQ-5D index and the quality of life in Alzheimer’s disease (QOL-AD) scale, taking as independent variables: sociodemographic characteristics and measures of functional ability (Barthel Index), depression in dementia (Cornell Scale), number of chronic health problems, cognitive level (MEC, the Spanish Mini-Mental State Examination) and severity of dementia (Clinical Dementia Rating) at baseline.
Results
The majority of the participants were women (81.75 %) with an average age of 84.70 ± 6.51 years, single (78.15 %), with severe dementia and moderate functional dependence. There was a significant decrease on the EQ-5D, EQ-VAS and QOL-AD between baseline and follow-up scores. The main predictors of QoL of the institutionalized older adults with dementia were the number of chronic problems and baseline scores of the QoL measures.
Conclusions
A significant decrease in the QoL of institutionalized older adults was observed over a 20-month period. Results suggest that interventions aimed at reducing the number of chronic medical conditions may have a beneficial effect on older adults’ QoL.