Quality of life in older people with dementia: A multilevel study of individual attributes and residential care center characteristics

MARVENTANO, S.; PRIETO FLORES, M.E.; SANZ BARBERO, B.; MARTÍN-GARCÍA, S.; FERNANDEZ-MAYORALAS, G.; ROJO-PEREZ, F.; MARTINEZ-MARTIN, P.; FORJAZ, M.J.

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2015

1444-1586

Aim: To analyze how the characteristics of institutionalized older people with dementia and residential care centersare associated with the individuals quality of life (QoL).Methods: Data were collected from a survey carried out on 525 elderly people aged 60 years or older in 14 nursingcare homes across Spain. Multilevel linear analysis to assess the differences in QoL level between centers andindividuals 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, depressionand the length of institutionalization had a negative effect on QoL. In relation to the residential care centercharacteristics, the availability of geriatricians was associated with higher QoL, compared with those centers with nogeriatricians on staff. In addition, public centers (public ownership and publicly-funded residents) were also associatedwith higher QoL than private/mixed centers. The multilevel analysis showed that the 16.4% of the differences in QoLwas 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 promotethe well-being of this vulnerable population.