Natalie C Ernecoff1,2, Feng-Chang Lin1,3, Kathryn L Wessell1, Laura C Hanson1,4. 1. Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 2. Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 3. Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 4. Division of Geriatric Medicine & Palliative Care Program, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: In late-stage dementia, families often prioritize quality of life (QoL) and comfort, yet little research examines factors impacting QoL. We sought to (1) describe temporal trends in QoL in late-stage dementia, and (2) explore associations between patient characteristics, care interventions, and QoL. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from the Goals of Care clinical trial. SETTING: Twenty-two nursing homes (NHs) in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Family decision makers for residents with late-stage dementia. MEASUREMENTS: Family-reported QoL at baseline and at 9 months using the Alzheimer's Disease-Related Quality of Life Instrument (ADRQL) with five subscales scored 0 to 100 (higher scores indicate better quality). Families reported demographics, primary goal of care, and described their perceptions of residents' QoL. Chart reviews provided data on hospital transfers, treatment plans, and hospice enrollment. We ran mixed effects models of hypothesized variables and change in ADRQL over time. RESULTS: The study sample was 241 dyads of residents with late-stage dementia and family decision makers. Family-reported ADRQL scores reflected moderately good QoL at baseline and at 9 months (69.1 vs 66.9; p = .106). Subscales for Awareness of Self (62.8; Global Deterioration Scale [GDS] = 5; 30.5; GDS = 7; p > .01) and Enjoyment of Activities (53.4; GDS = 5; 39.4; GDS = 7; p > .01) were lower in later stage disease. Qualitatively, family members associated better QoL for dementia with (1) activities, (2) opportunities to leave NH, (3) NH-structured activities, (4) attentiveness in NH, and (5) passive interaction. ADRQL at 9 months was associated with later dementia stage and referral to hospice (p < .01). Age (p = .004) and hospice enrollment were significantly associated with a larger decrease in ADRQL over 9 months (p = .019). A primary goal of comfort was associated with a larger increase in ADRQL (p = .022). CONCLUSION: Families judge QoL to be moderately good in late-stage dementia. They perceive activities, opportunities to leave the NH, and quality of interpersonal care as ways to improve dementia-specific QoL.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: In late-stage dementia, families often prioritize quality of life (QoL) and comfort, yet little research examines factors impacting QoL. We sought to (1) describe temporal trends in QoL in late-stage dementia, and (2) explore associations between patient characteristics, care interventions, and QoL. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of data from the Goals of Care clinical trial. SETTING: Twenty-two nursing homes (NHs) in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Family decision makers for residents with late-stage dementia. MEASUREMENTS: Family-reported QoL at baseline and at 9 months using the Alzheimer's Disease-Related Quality of Life Instrument (ADRQL) with five subscales scored 0 to 100 (higher scores indicate better quality). Families reported demographics, primary goal of care, and described their perceptions of residents' QoL. Chart reviews provided data on hospital transfers, treatment plans, and hospice enrollment. We ran mixed effects models of hypothesized variables and change in ADRQL over time. RESULTS: The study sample was 241 dyads of residents with late-stage dementia and family decision makers. Family-reported ADRQL scores reflected moderately good QoL at baseline and at 9 months (69.1 vs 66.9; p = .106). Subscales for Awareness of Self (62.8; Global Deterioration Scale [GDS] = 5; 30.5; GDS = 7; p > .01) and Enjoyment of Activities (53.4; GDS = 5; 39.4; GDS = 7; p > .01) were lower in later stage disease. Qualitatively, family members associated better QoL for dementia with (1) activities, (2) opportunities to leave NH, (3) NH-structured activities, (4) attentiveness in NH, and (5) passive interaction. ADRQL at 9 months was associated with later dementia stage and referral to hospice (p < .01). Age (p = .004) and hospice enrollment were significantly associated with a larger decrease in ADRQL over 9 months (p = .019). A primary goal of comfort was associated with a larger increase in ADRQL (p = .022). CONCLUSION: Families judge QoL to be moderately good in late-stage dementia. They perceive activities, opportunities to leave the NH, and quality of interpersonal care as ways to improve dementia-specific QoL.
Authors: T González-Salvador; C G Lyketsos; A Baker; L Hovanec; C Roques; J Brandt; C Steele Journal: Int J Geriatr Psychiatry Date: 2000-02 Impact factor: 3.485