Introduction: Dementia Care and Quality of Life in Assisted Living and Nursing Homes

ABSTRACTBackground:Person-centered care (PCC) is a widely recognized concept in dementia research and care. Dementia Care Mapping (DCM) is a method for implementing PCC. Prior studies have yielded heterogeneous results regarding the effectiveness of DCM for people with dementia (PwD). We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of DCM with regard to quality of life (QoL) and challenging behavior in PwD in nursing homes (NHs).Methods:Leben-QD II is an 18-month, three-armed, pragmatic quasi-experimental trial. The sample of PwD was divided into three groups with three living units per group: (A) DCM applied since 2009, (B) DCM newly introduced during the study, and (C) a control intervention based on a regular and standardized QoL rating. The primary outcome was QoL measured with the Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD) proxy, and the secondary outcomes were QoL (measured with QUALIDEM) and challenging behavior (measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Nursing Home version, NPI-NH).Results:There were no significant differences either between the DCM intervention groups and the control group or between the two DCM intervention groups regarding changes in the primary or secondary outcomes. At baseline, the estimated least square means of the QoL-AD proxy for groups A, B, and C were 32.54 (confidence interval, hereafter CI: 29.36–35.72), 33.62 (CI: 30.55–36.68), and 30.50 (CI: 27.47–33.52), respectively. The DCM groups A (31.32; CI: 28.15–34.48) and B (27.60; CI: 24.51–30.69) exhibited a reduction in QoL values, whereas group C exhibited an increase (32.54; CI: 29.44–35.64) after T2.Conclusions:DCM exhibited no statistically significant effect in terms of QoL and challenging behavior of PwD in NHs. To increase the likelihood of a positive effect for PwD, it is necessary to ensure successful implementation of the intervention.

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QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMENTIA CARE IN ASSISTED LIVING: THE LIVED EXPERIENCE

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igy023.1270 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. 346-346

Author(s):

E Burgess ◽

J Craft Morgan ◽

Mary M Ball ◽

P J Doyle ◽

M M Perkins

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Lived Experience ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Dementia Care

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Improving Quality of Life in Long-Term Care

Perspectives on Gerontology ◽

10.1044/gero14.2.37 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 37-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Margaret P. Calkins ◽

Jennifer Brush

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Staff Training ◽

Long Term Care ◽

Assisted Living Facilities ◽

Term Care ◽

Management Structure

Abstract The entire field of long-term care is under tremendous pressure to change. Traditional environmental approaches based on staff-centric or medical models are no longer considered appropriate in long-term care settings. The new emphasis is on person-centered or self-directed care. This is reflected in settings where people can live comfortably and feel at home, as opposed to feeling like they are in a hospital. Increasingly, nursing homes are working to be more like assisted living facilities, which emphasize privacy, dignity, and choice. These changes affect all aspects of care from structure of governance to staff training to management structure and facility design. This article will cover the issues and the possible solutions to ensuring that long-term care living is more like a home than a hospital.

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Comparing Perceived Quality of Life in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Journal of Gerontological Social Work ◽

10.1300/j083v43n01_09 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 119-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jeannette S. Franks

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Perceived Quality ◽

Assisted Living Facilities ◽

Perceived Quality Of Life

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A tablet-based intervention for activating nursing home residents with dementia: results from a cluster-randomized controlled trial

International Psychogeriatrics ◽

10.1017/s1041610221000818 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-13

Author(s):

Julie L. O’Sullivan ◽

Sonia Lech ◽

Paul Gellert ◽

Ulrike Grittner ◽

Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Nursing Home ◽

Nursing Homes ◽

Psychotropic Medication ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Nursing Home Residents ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Objectives: To investigate global and momentary effects of a tablet-based non-pharmacological intervention for nursing home residents living with dementia. Design: Cluster-randomized controlled trial. Setting: Ten nursing homes in Germany were randomly allocated to the tablet-based intervention (TBI, 5 units) or conventional activity sessions (CAS, 5 units). Participants: N = 162 residents with dementia. Intervention: Participants received regular TBI (n = 80) with stimulating activities developed to engage people with dementia or CAS (n = 82) for 8 weeks. Measurements: Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-I, primary outcome), Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease scale, QUALIDEM scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Geriatric Depression Scale, and psychotropic medication (secondary outcomes). Momentary quality of life was assessed before and after each activity session. Participants and staff were blinded until the collection of baseline data was completed. Data were analyzed with linear mixed-effects models. Results: Levels of apathy decreased slightly in both groups (mean decrease in AES-I of .61 points, 95% CI −3.54, 2.33 for TBI and .36 points, 95% CI −3.27, 2.55 for CAS). Group difference in change of apathy was not statistically significant (β = .25; 95% CI 3.89, 4.38, p = .91). This corresponds to a standardized effect size (Cohen’s d) of .02. A reduction of psychotropic medication was found for TBI compared to CAS. Further analyses revealed a post-intervention improvement in QUALIDEM scores across both groups and short-term improvements of momentary quality of life in the CAS group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that interventions involving tailored activities have a beneficial impact on global and momentary quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia. Although we found no clear advantage of TBI compared to CAS, tablet computers can support delivery of non-pharmacological interventions in nursing homes and facilitate regular assessments of fluctuating momentary states.

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