2 research outputs found
Quality of life in older people with dementia: A multilevel study of individual attributes and residential care center characteristics
Aim: To analyze how the characteristics of institutionalized older people with dementia and residential care centers
are associated with the individual’s quality of life (QoL).
Methods: Data were collected from a survey carried out on 525 elderly people aged 60 years or older in 14 nursing
care homes across Spain. Multilevel linear analysis to assess the differences in QoL level between centers and
individuals was carried out.
Results: The characteristics of the individuals that were associated with a higher QoL were functional independence,
health status and gathering with family, friends or neighbors. In contrast, higher levels of dementia, depression
and the length of institutionalization had a negative effect on QoL. In relation to the residential care center
characteristics, the availability of geriatricians was associated with higher QoL, compared with those centers with no
geriatricians on staff. In addition, public centers (public ownership and publicly-funded residents) were also associated
with higher QoL than private/mixed centers. The multilevel analysis showed that the 16.4% of the differences in QoL
was related to residence factors.
Conclusion: These results reflect the importance of the functional, social, mental and residential dimensions in the
QoL of older adults with dementia. Actions devoted to improving these key dimensions would contribute to promote
the well-being of this vulnerable populationPeer reviewe