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Quality of life of community-residing persons with dementia based on self-rated and caregiver-rated measures

Abstract

Purpose  

To identify correlates of self-rated and caregiver-rated quality of life (QOL) in community-residing persons with dementia
(PWD) for intervention development.

Methods  

Cross-sectional data of 254 PWD and their caregivers participating in a clinical trial were derived from in-home assessments.
Self-rated QOL was measured with the Quality of Life-Alzheimer Disease (QOL-AD) scale, and caregiver-rated QOL was measured
using the QOL-AD and Alzheimer Disease-Related Quality of Life (ADRQL) scales. Multivariate modeling identified correlates
of the PWD’ QOL.

Results  

Self-rated QOL was related significantly to participant race, unmet needs, depression, and total medications. Caregiver-rated
QOL-AD scores were significantly associated with participant function, unmet needs, depression, and health problems and with
caregiver burden and self-rated health. Significant correlates of ADRQL scores included neuropsychiatric symptom severity,
functional and cognitive impairment, and caregiver burden and depression.

Conclusions  

Correlates of QOL in community-residing PWD depend on who rates the PWD’s QOL and which measure is used. Addressing health
problems, medication use, and dementia-related unmet needs, reducing functional dependency, and treating neuropsychiatric
symptoms in PWD, while reducing caregiver burden and depression, may maximize QOL in those with dementia.

  • Content Type Journal Article
  • Pages 1-11
  • DOI 10.1007/s11136-011-0044-z
  • Authors
    • Betty S. Black, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer Building 279, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
    • Deirdre Johnston, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer Building 279, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
    • Ann Morrison, Dementia Care Consultation, LLC, P.O. Box 2, Arnold, MD 21012, USA
    • Peter V. Rabins, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 600 North Wolfe Street, Meyer Building 279, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
    • Constantine G. Lyketsos, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 5300 Alpha Commons Drive, 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
    • Quincy M. Samus, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, 550 North Broadway, Room 305, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA