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Quality of life in dementia patients in long‐term care
Author(s) -
GonzálezSalvador Teresa,
Lyketsos Constantine G.,
Baker Alva,
Hovanec Linda,
Roques Carmel,
Brandt Jason,
Steele Cynthia
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(200002)15:2<181::aid-gps96>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - dementia , psychosocial , quality of life (healthcare) , psychological intervention , medicine , long term care , depression (economics) , gerontology , anxiety , multivariate analysis , population , psychiatry , psychology , nursing , disease , environmental health , economics , macroeconomics
Objective To evaluate variables associated with quality of life (QOL) in dementia residents in a long‐term care facility using a recently standardized and validated dementia‐specific QOL scale (ADRQL). Method A cross‐sectional, case‐control design was employed using validated scales to assess dementia‐related symptomatology. Thirty‐two facility staff members were interviewed to assess the QOL of 120 patients meeting DSM‐IV for dementia criteria residing in long‐term care. Results ADRQL scores were higher in assisted living residents than in skilled nursing facility residents. In univariate analyses, worse orientation, greater physical dependency, depression, and treatment with anxiolytics were associated with lower ADRQL scores. In multivariate analyses, lower scores were associated with worse orientation, greater physical dependency, depression, and anxiolytic treatment. Conclusions Residents exhibited better QOL than expected. Future longitudinal studies should address if reorientation, activity therapy, treatment of depression, and avoidance of benzodiazepines might improve QOL in this population. Interventions that might improve orientation and physical abilities, such as cholinomimetic therapies, psychosocial interventions, or behavioral strategies, should also be studied in future research on QOL. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.