scholarly journals Improving Quality of Life in Nursing Homes: The Structured Resident Interview Approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard B. Degenholtz ◽  
Abby L. Resnick ◽  
Natalie Bulger ◽  
Lichun Chia

The quality of life (QOL) of the approximately 1.5 million nursing facility (NF) residents in the US is undoubtedly lower than desired by residents, families, providers, and policy makers. Although there have been important advances in defining and measuring QOL for this population, there is a need for interventions that are tied to standardized measurement and quality improvement programs. This paper describes the development and testing of a structured, tailored assessment and care planning process for improving the QOL of nursing home residents. The Quality of Life Structured Resident Interview and Care Plan (QOL.SRI/CP) builds on a decade of research on measuring QOL and is designed to be easily implemented in any US nursing home. The approach was developed through extensive and iterative pilot testing and then tested in a randomized controlled trial in three nursing homes. Residents were randomly assigned to receive the assessment alone or both the assessment and an individualized QOL care plan task. The results show that residents assigned to the intervention group experienced improved QOL at 90- and 180-day follow-up, while QOL of residents in the control group was unchanged.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Julie L. O’Sullivan ◽  
Sonia Lech ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482098397
Author(s):  
Marita McCabe ◽  
Jessica Byers ◽  
Lucy Busija ◽  
David Mellor ◽  
Michelle Bennett ◽  
...  

Older people face major challenges when they move into nursing homes, particularly in relation to independence and their ability to influence their activities of daily living (ADLs). This study evaluated the contribution of resident choice, as well as the staff–resident relationship, to promoting resident quality of life (QoL). A total of 604 residents from 33 nursing homes in Australia completed measures of QoL, perceived levels of choice in various ADLs, and the staff–resident relationship. A hierarchical regression demonstrated that the predictor variables accounted for 25% of the variance in QoL. Two of the four predictor variables (resident choice over socializing and the staff–resident relationship) significantly contributed to resident QoL. These findings reinforce the important contribution of autonomy and social relationships to resident QoL. Nursing home staff have a key role to play in supporting resident autonomy as a means of building residents’ chosen social connections, and thereby promoting QoL.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audai A. Hayajneh ◽  
Mohammad Rababa ◽  
Alia A. Alghwiri ◽  
Dina Masha'al

Abstract Background: A dearth of differential research exists regarding the determinants of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia among nursing home residents. This study aimed to identify and examine the association between medical factors (number of comorbidities, hospitalization, disability, depression, frailty and quality of life) and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia in nursing homes residents.Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Convenience sampling of 182 participants was conducted in nursing homes located in the central part of Jordan. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to screen both MCI and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia. Bivariate analysis, including t-test and ANOVA test, and logistic and linear regression models were used to examine and identify the medical factors associated with moderate cognitive impairment or dementia compared to mild cognitive impairment.Results: Most nursing home residents had MCI (87.4%) compared to a few with moderate cognitive impairment or dementia. Age (t = -2.773), number of comorbidities (t = -4.045), depression (t = -4.809), frailty (t = -4.038), and quality of life physical (t = 3.282) and mental component summaries (t = 2.469) were significantly different between the stages of cognitive impairment. Marital status (t = -4.050, p < 0.001), higher-income (t = 3.755, p < 0.001), recent hospitalization (t = 2.622,p = 0.01), depression (t = -2.737, p = 0.007), and frailty (t = 2.852, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with mental ability scores among nursing home residents.Conclusion: The coexistence of comorbidities and depression among nursing home residents with MCI necessitates prompt management by healthcare providers to combat depressive symptoms in order to delay the dementia trajectory among at-risk residents.Trail registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04589637


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Lorraine O'Sullivan ◽  
Sonia Lech ◽  
Paul Gellert ◽  
Ulrike Grittner ◽  
Jan-Niklas Voigt-Antons ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Non-pharmacological interventions (NPI) can improve cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms in nursing home residents living with dementia. However, delivery of suitable NPI can be challenging in everyday nursing home settings. Internet and communication technologies (ICT) may be promising tools for supporting NPI delivery in nursing homes. Methods: A two-arm cluster-randomised controlled trial was conducted to investigate global and momentary effects of a novel ICT-based NPI for nursing home residents with dementia. Ten nursing homes were randomly allocated to the tablet-based intervention (TBI) or conventional activity sessions (CAS) group (each with five nursing homes) between April 2016 and May 2017. A total of N = 162 participants received either regular TBI (n = 80) or CAS (n = 82) over a period of eight weeks. Linear mixed models were used to analyse group differences regarding the primary outcome apathy (AES-I), and secondary outcomes quality of life (QOL-AD, QUALIDEM), neuropsychiatric (NPI-NH, psychotropic medication) and depressive symptoms (GDS). Ecological Momentary Assessments (EMA) of quality of life were also conducted in both groups before and after each activity session.Results: No significant group difference in the change of apathy (AES-I score, primary outcome) was found post intervention (mean group difference: B = .19; 95% CI: -3.90 to 4.28, p = .93). Regarding secondary outcomes, a reduction of psychotropic medication was found for TBI compared to CAS (B = .42; 95% CI: .15 to .69, p < .01). Further analyses revealed a post-intervention improvement of informant-rated quality of life across both groups (B = 3.69; 95% CI: .68 to 6.69, p = .02). Analysis of EMA also rendered short-term post-session improvements of quality of life in the CAS group (B = .43; 95% CI: .30 to .57, p < .001). Conclusions: These findings suggest that NPI involving individually tailored activities have a beneficial impact on quality of life in nursing home residents with dementia. Although we found no clear advantage of TBI compared to CAS, ICT have the potential to support NPI delivery and facilitate regular assessments of fluctuating momentary states in nursing home residents with dementia. Trial registration: The trial was retrospectively registered with the ISRCTN registry (Trial registration number: ISRCTN98947160) on 01/09/2016 http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN98947160.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Raes ◽  
Sophie Vandepitte ◽  
Delphine De Smedt ◽  
Herlinde Wynendaele ◽  
Yannai DeJonghe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Knowledge about the relationship between the residents’ Quality of Life (QOL) and the nursing home price is currently lacking. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between 11 dimensions of QOL and nursing homes price in Flemish nursing homes. Methods The data used in this cross-sectional study were collected by the Flemish government from years 2014 to 2017 and originates from 659 Flemish nursing homes. From 2014 to 2016, data on the QOL of 21,756 residents was assessed with the InterRAI instrument. This instrument contains 11 QOL dimensions. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the research question. Results The multiple linear regressions indicated that a 10 euro increase in the daily nursing home price is associated with a significant decrease (P <  0.001) of 0.1 in 5 dimensions of QOL (access to services, comfort and environment, food and meals, respect, and safety and security). Hence, our results indicate that the association between price and QOL is very small. When conducting a subgroup analysis based on ownership type, the earlier found results remained only statistically significant for private nursing homes. Conclusion Our findings show that nursing home price is of limited importance with respect to resident QOL. Contrary to popular belief, our study demonstrates a limited negative effect of price on QOL. Further research that includes other indicators of QOL is needed to allow policymakers and nursing home managers to improve nursing home residents’ QOL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Audai A. Hayajneh ◽  
Mohammad Rababa ◽  
Alia A. Alghwiri ◽  
Dina Masha’al

Abstract Background A dearth of differential research exists regarding the determinants of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia among nursing home residents. This study aimed to identify and examine the association between medical factors (number of comorbidities, hospitalization, disability, depression, frailty and quality of life) and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia in nursing homes residents. Methods A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Convenience sampling of 182 participants was conducted in nursing homes located in the central part of Jordan. Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to screen both MCI and moderate cognitive impairment or dementia. Bivariate analysis, including t-test and ANOVA test, and logistic and linear regression models were used to examine and identify the medical factors associated with moderate cognitive impairment or dementia compared to mild cognitive impairment. Results Most nursing home residents had MCI (87.4%) compared to a few with moderate cognitive impairment or dementia. Age (t = − 2.773), number of comorbidities (t = − 4.045), depression (t = − 4.809), frailty (t = − 4.038), and quality of life physical (t = 3.282) and mental component summaries (t = 2.469) were significantly different between the stages of cognitive impairment. Marital status (t = − 4.050, p <  0.001), higher-income (t = 3.755, p <  0.001), recent hospitalization (t = 2.622,p = 0.01), depression (t = − 2.737, p = 0.007), and frailty (t = 2.852, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with mental ability scores among nursing home residents. Conclusion The coexistence of comorbidities and depression among nursing home residents with MCI necessitates prompt management by healthcare providers to combat depressive symptoms in order to delay the dementia trajectory among at-risk residents. Trail registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04589637, October 15,2020, Retrospectively registered.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Raes ◽  
Sophie Vandepitte ◽  
Delphine De Smedt ◽  
Herlinde Wynendaele ◽  
Yannai DeJonghe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Knowledge about the relationship between the residents’ Quality Of Life (QOL) and the nursing home price is currently lacking. Therefore, this study investigates the relationship between 11 dimensions of QOL and nursing homes price in Flemish nursing homes.Methods: The data used in this cross-sectional study were collected by the Flemish government from years 2014 to 2017 and originates from 659 Flemish nursing homes. From 2014 to 2016, data on the QOL of 21,756 residents was assessed with the InterRAI instrument. This instrument contains 11 QOL dimensions. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the research question.Results: The multiple linear regressions indicated that a 10 euro increase in the daily nursing home price is associated with a significant decrease (P < 0.001) of 0.1 in 5 dimensions of QOL (access to services, comfort and environment, food and meals, respect, and safety and security). Hence, our results indicate that the association between price and QOL is very small. When conducting a subgroup analysis based on ownership type, the earlier found results remained only statistically significant for private nursing homes.Conclusion: Our findings show that nursing home price is of limited importance with respect to resident QOL. Contrary to popular belief, our study demonstrates a limited negative effect of price on QOL. Further research that includes other indicators of QOL is needed to allow policymakers and nursing home managers to improve nursing home residents’ QOL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gørill Haugan ◽  
Jorunn Drageset ◽  
Beate André ◽  
Kamile Kukulu ◽  
James Mugisha ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Well-adapted and validated quality-of-life measurement models for the nursing home population are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test the psychometrical properties of the OPQoL-brief questionnaire among cognitively intact nursing home residents. The research question addressed evidence related to the dimensionality, reliability and construct validity, all of which considered interrelated measurement properties. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected during 2017–2018, in 27 nursing homes representing four different Norwegian municipalities, located in Western and Mid-Norway. The total sample comprised 188 of 204 (92% response rate) long-term nursing home residents who met the inclusion criteria: (1) municipality authority’s decision of long-term nursing home care; (2) residential time 3 months or longer; (3) informed consent competency recognized by responsible doctor and nurse; and (4) capable of being interviewed. Results Principal component analysis and confirmative factor analyses indicated a unidimensional solution. Five of the original 13 items showed low reliability and validity; excluding these items revealed a good model fit for the one-dimensional 8-items measurement model, showing good internal consistency and validity for these 8 items. Conclusion Five out of the 13 original items were not high-quality indicators of quality-of-life showing low reliability and validity in this nursing home population. Significant factor loadings, goodness-of-fit indices and significant correlations in the expected directions with the selected constructs (anxiety, depression, self-transcendence, meaning-in-life, nurse-patient interaction, and joy-of-life) supported the psychometric properties of the OPQoL-brief questionnaire. Exploring the essence of quality-of-life when residing in a nursing home is highly warranted, followed by development and validation of new tools assessing quality-of-life in this population. Such knowledge and well-adapted scales for the nursing home population are beneficial and important for the further development of care quality in nursing homes, and consequently for quality-of-life and wellbeing in this population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Hirsikangas ◽  
Outi Kanste ◽  
Juha Korpelainen ◽  
Risto Bloigu ◽  
Helvi Kyngäs

Background and objective: When FAs with chronic disease and various needs are able to keep up their psychological and physical wellbeing, perform daily activities and maintain control of their life, they are able to live an active life and take care of themselves longer, and this has an impact on their quality of life. The role of community matron is to assess an individual’s problems and needs for health services and improve the self-care of FAs by providing a needs-based education.  The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention on the quality of life, sense of coherence and daily activities of frequent attenders (FAs).Methods: This study is an intervention trial, with a two-year follow-up, including intervention and control groups. The intervention group received nurse-led intervention that included the assessment of FAs care needs, an individualized care plan, support for self-management and service coordination. The FAs in the control group received traditional care, including patient education and support. Self-reported instruments were used to collect data from adult frequent attenders, including the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), Sense of Coherence (SOC) and 15D, to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Follow-ups measurements were taken after one year and after two years between 2008 and 2011.Results: The study shows a significant correlation between sense of coherence and quality of life (p < .0005) and quality of life and amount of daily activities performed (p < .0005) in both groups. The intervention group had statistically significantly better sense of coherence at every stage of the study. The activities of daily living statistically significantly weakened in the intervention group (p = .001) from baseline to two years despite intervention, whereas in the control group it remained unchanged. In the control group, a statistically significant correlation was found between sense of coherence and FAs feeling satisfaction with their current life (p = .019). The HRQoL did not differ between the groups during the study.Conclusions: These results indicate a correlation between sense of coherence and quality of life and also between quality of life and amount of daily activities among FAs. Intervention did not improve the quality of life of FAs or their daily functioning. More research is needed to demonstrate the effects of community matron model on FAs care, the role of ehealth needs to be strongly involved.


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-156
Author(s):  
Marina Gharibian Adra ◽  
John Hopton ◽  
John Keady

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore perceptions, perspectives and meaning of quality of life for a sample of older residents, care staff and family caregivers in two nursing homes in Lebanon. Design/methodology/approach A classic grounded theory study was conducted between 2010 and 2011 in two nursing homes in Beirut. The semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a theoretical sample of 20 residents, 8 family caregivers and 11 staff. The constant comparative method was used to analyze the data. Findings Three distinct but interrelated properties of quality of life emerged from this process: “maintaining self,” “maintaining identity” and “maintaining continuity”. The dynamics that exist within and between each of these properties provide an indicator about shared and distinct meanings and the implications for care practice. Research limitations/implications The study was conducted in one city in Lebanon; accordingly, the transferability of findings may be challenging. Practical implications Implications for nursing and nursing policy – improving Lebanese national standards and regulations applicable to nursing home residents may help to enhance residents’ care needs and quality of life. Social implications There was limited guidance aimed at helping older residents to voice and increase their choice and control. Originality/value This paper provides new insights into the process of outlining the properties attached to the phenomenon of quality of life in nursing homes in Lebanon. It will be of interest to those in nursing home care as well as to policy makers.


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