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Correlates of Quality of Life for Individuals with Dementia Living at Home: The Role of Home Environment, Caregiver, and Patient-related Characteristics
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Correlates of Quality of Life for Individuals with Dementia Living at Home: The Role of Home Environment, Caregiver, and Patient-related Characteristics

Laura N. Gitlin, Nancy Hodgson, Catherine Verrier Piersol, Edward Hess and Walter W. Hauck
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry, v 22(6), pp 587-597
01 Jun 2014
PMID: 23890928
url
https://europepmc.org/articles/pmc4091677View
Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified) Open

Abstract

Geriatrics & Gerontology Gerontology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Psychiatry Science & Technology
Objectives: To examine prevalence of modifiable risk factors and their contribution to patient quality of life (QoL) as rated by dementia patients and family caregivers. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Home environment. Participants: 88 patients and their caregivers. Measurements: Modifiable characteristics of home environments, patients, and caregivers were observed or obtained through interview. Demographics and ratings of patients' QoL were obtained from patients and caregivers. Results: Patients had mean Mini-mental Status Examination (MMSE) score = 17.7 +/- 4.6, (range: 10-28) on an average 7.7 +/- 2.4 neuropsychiatric behaviors, 6.0 +/- 3.1 health conditions and moderate functional challenges; 70.7% (N = 58) had fall risk; 60.5% (N = 52) had sleep problems at least once weekly; and 42.5% (N = 37) had pain. An average of 8.1 +/- 5.2 home hazards and 5.4 +/- 4.1 adaptations were observed; 51.7% had unmet device/navigation needs. Patients' and caregivers' QoL ratings were unrelated to MMSE; and patients' self-rated QoL was higher than rated by caregivers. Number of health conditions and unmet device/navigation needs were inversely associated with patient self-rated QoL, and number of health conditions, frequency of behaviors, and level of negative communications were inversely associated with caregiver's assessment of patient QoL. Positive endorsement of caregiving was positively associated with caregiver's appraisal of patient QoL. Other factors were unrelated. Conclusions: Most patients lived at home with high fall risk, unmanaged behavioral symptoms, pain, sleep disturbances, environmental challenges, and multiple hazards. Except for health, factors associated with lower QoL differed for patients and caregivers. Results suggest need to improve QoL by addressing modifiable risk factors and tailoring interventions to patient and caregiver perspectives.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Gerontology
Psychiatry
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