Four factors impact QoL from perspective of dementia sufferers
24 jan 2015—Four factors have been identified that affect quality of life from the perspective of people with dementia. The findings were published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Hannah M. O'Rourke, B.Sc.N., from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, and colleagues conducted a systematic review and meta-synthesis of primary qualitative studies to identify factors that influence quality of life from the perspective of individuals with dementia. Eleven qualitative studies were identified, which included a combined sample of 345 people with mild, moderate, and severe dementia. The techniques of taxonomic analysis, constant comparison, and importing concepts were used to synthesize findings from primary studies.
The researchers found that, according to people with dementia, four factors and the experience of connectedness versus disconnectedness within each factor influenced quality of life. These factors were relationships (together versus alone), agency in life today (purposeful versus aimless), wellness perspective (well versus ill), and sense of place (located versus unsettled). The key outcomes of good and poor quality of life were happiness and sadness, respectively.
"The four factors identified potentially modifiable areas to improve quality of life for people with dementia, even in the context of worsening cognitive function," the authors write.
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