PURPOSE: We conducted this study to determine whether neuropsychiatric symptoms and environmental characteristics are associated with quality of life in assisted living residents with dementia. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study of 134 residents from 22 facilities and employed the Alzheimer's Disease-Related Quality of Life Scale and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. A scale was developed to capture the homelike climate of each facility. Linear regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship of neuropsychiatric symptoms and homelike climate with quality of life, controlling for sociodemographics, cognition, functional dependence, and physical health. Exploratory analyses and graphical techniques were employed to test for environmental-level moderating effects. RESULTS: Agitation, depression, apathy, and irritability were significant predictors of quality of life, explaining 29% of the variance. Neither facility size nor homelike environment was significantly associated with quality of life in univariate analyses. Size of facility moderated the relationship between agitation and quality of life. IMPLICATIONS: Neuropsychiatric symptoms impair quality of life in residents with dementia. Further research should investigate the role of other environmental aspects.
PURPOSE: We conducted this study to determine whether neuropsychiatric symptoms and environmental characteristics are associated with quality of life in assisted living residents with dementia. DESIGN AND METHODS: We used a cross-sectional study of 134 residents from 22 facilities and employed the Alzheimer's Disease-Related Quality of Life Scale and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. A scale was developed to capture the homelike climate of each facility. Linear regression analyses were used to estimate the relationship of neuropsychiatric symptoms and homelike climate with quality of life, controlling for sociodemographics, cognition, functional dependence, and physical health. Exploratory analyses and graphical techniques were employed to test for environmental-level moderating effects. RESULTS:Agitation, depression, apathy, and irritability were significant predictors of quality of life, explaining 29% of the variance. Neither facility size nor homelike environment was significantly associated with quality of life in univariate analyses. Size of facility moderated the relationship between agitation and quality of life. IMPLICATIONS: Neuropsychiatric symptoms impair quality of life in residents with dementia. Further research should investigate the role of other environmental aspects.
Authors: Sarah K Tighe; Jeannie-Marie S Leoutsakos; Michelle C Carlson; Chiadi U Onyike; Quincy Samus; Alva Baker; Jason Brandt; Peter V Rabins; Lawrence Mayer; Adam Rosenblatt; Constantine G Lyketsos Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 3.485
Authors: Quincy M Samus; Lawrence Mayer; Chiadi U Onyike; Jason Brandt; Alva Baker; Matthew McNabney; Peter V Rabins; Constantine G Lyketsos; Adam Rosenblatt Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2009-06 Impact factor: 4.669
Authors: Josep Garre-Olmo; Xènia Planas-Pujol; Secundino López-Pousa; Myron F Weiner; Antoni Turon-Estrada; Dolors Juvinyà; David Ballester; Joan Vilalta-Franch Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2010-02-03 Impact factor: 4.147
Authors: Quincy M Samus; Chiadi U Onyike; Deirdre Johnston; Lawrence Mayer; Matthew McNabney; Alva S Baker; Jason Brandt; Peter V Rabins; Constantine G Lyketsos; Adam Rosenblatt Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2013-01-07 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: Quincy M Samus; Amrita Vavilikolanu; Lawrence Mayer; Matthew McNabney; Jason Brandt; Constantine G Lyketsos; Adam Rosenblatt Journal: Int Psychogeriatr Date: 2013-09-23 Impact factor: 3.878
Authors: Mark C Bicket; Quincy M Samus; Mathew McNabney; Chiadi U Onyike; Lawrence S Mayer; Jason Brandt; Peter Rabins; Constantine Lyketsos; Adam Rosenblatt Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2010-10 Impact factor: 3.485