ERIC Number: EJ817679
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0016-9013
EISSN: N/A
The Association between Changes in Health Status and Nursing Home Resident Quality of Life
Degenholtz, Howard B.; Rosen, Jules; Castle, Nicholas; Mittal, Vikas; Liu, Darren
Gerontologist, v48 n5 p584-592 Oct 2008
Purpose: Previous research on nursing home resident quality of life (QOL) has mainly been cross-sectional. This study examined the association between changes in QOL and changes in resident clinical factors. Design and Methods: A longitudinal study of resident QOL was conducted in two nursing homes. Self-report interviews using a multidimensional measure of QOL were linked with clinical data from the Minimum Data Set. Five waves of interviews were conducted at 6-month intervals. Results: Residents with one or more Stage II or higher pressure ulcers for two consecutive 6-month periods reported declines in autonomy, security, and spiritual well-being QOL domains; those with declines in physical disability reported declines in the dignity domain. Increases in depressive symptoms were associated with decreases in comfort, meaningful activities, and food enjoyment domains, and increases in pain were associated with decreases in functional competence and dignity domains. Implications: There is evidence of an association between physical health and self-reported QOL. However, not every dimension of QOL exhibited the same pattern. Further research is needed on the link between specific clinical factors and aspects of QOL.
Descriptors: Interviews, Physical Disabilities, Health Conditions, Quality of Life, Physical Health, Questionnaires, Nursing Homes, Health Facilities, Depression (Psychology), Longitudinal Studies, Measurement Techniques, Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
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
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A