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ERIC Number: EJ783046
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Dec
Pages: 10
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
Decision-Making Involvement of Individuals with Dementia
Menne, Heather L.; Whitlatch, Carol J.
Gerontologist, v47 n6 p810-819 Dec 2007
Purpose: Research underscores how autonomy and decision-making involvement may help to enhance the quality of life of older adults; however, individuals with dementia are often excluded from decision making that is related to their daily functioning. In this study we use a modified version of the Stress Process Model to consider the stress process of individuals with chronic illness, and in particular to explore the predictors of decision-making involvement among individuals with dementia (n = 215). Design and Methods: We collected data from individual with dementia (IWD)-family caregiver dyads. Relying primarily on data from the IWD, we used hierarchical multiple regression analysis to determine the predictors of the IWD's decision-making involvement. Results: Results indicate that individuals who report more decision-making involvement are younger, female, have more education, have a nonspousal caregiver, have fewer months since their diagnosis, exhibit fewer problems with activities of daily living and fewer depressive symptoms (based on caregiver report), and place more importance on autonomy/self-identity. Implications: In our discussion we examine the importance of autonomy and impairment levels for understanding the decision-making involvement of persons with dementia. (Contains 1 footnote, 2 figures, and 4 tables.)
Gerontological Society of America. 1030 15th Street NW Suite 250, Washington, DC 20005. Tel: 202-842-1275; Fax: 202-842-1150; e-mail: geron@geron.org; Web site: http://www.geron.org/journals/gsapub.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A