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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®
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Quality of Life in Dementia: Do Professional Caregivers Focus on the Significant Domains?

Debby L. Gerritsen, PhD

Heyendaal Institute, Nijmegen, d.gerritsen{at}hin.ru.nl

Teake P. Ettema, MA

EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam

Ellen Boelens, MA

Nursing home De Schiphorst, Meppel

Joke Bos

AOC De Pijp, Amsterdam

Frans Hoogeveen, PhD

Stichting Florence, Rijswijk

Jacomine de Lange, PhD

Trimbos-Institute, Utrecht

Lucinda Meihuizen, MA

Stichting Zorgpartners Midden-Holland, Gouda

Carla J. M. Schölzel-Dorenbos, MD

Memory Clinic Slingeland Hospital, Doetinchem, The Netherlands

Rose-Marie Dröes, PhD

EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam

The domains of quality of life that are considered important by people with dementia and professional caregivers are not in agreement. This explorative study addresses the question, "To what degree do professional caregivers, in their daily working routine, focus on the quality-of-life domains that people with dementia consider essential?" Study participants were nursing assistants who work in 24-hour nursing home care and professionals who offer daytime activities. Three hundred and seventy-four caregivers working on 29 units and 3 day care facilities of 13 nursing homes and in 12 meeting centers filled out a questionnaire. The caregivers reported to focus at least to some degree on most domains considered important by people with dementia. However, relatively little attention was paid to "financial situation" and "being useful/giving meaning to life." Professionals who offer daytime activities focused more than 24-hour care staff on "attachment," "enjoyment of activities," "sense of aesthetics," and "being useful/giving meaning to life."

Key Words: quality of life • dementia • professional caregivers

American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias®, Vol. 22, No. 3, 176-183 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1533317507299771
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