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American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias logoLink to American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias
. 2007 Jun-Jul;22(3):176–183. doi: 10.1177/1533317507299771

Quality of Life in Dementia: Do Professional Caregivers Focus on the Significant Domains?

Debby L Gerritsen 1, Teake P Ettema 2, Ellen Boelens 3, Joke Bos 4, Frans Hoogeveen 5, Jacomine de Lange 6, Lucinda Meihuizen 7, Carla J M Schölzel-Dorenbos 8, Rose-Marie Dröes 9
PMCID: PMC10846140  PMID: 17606526

Abstract

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.”

Keywords: quality of life, dementia, professional caregivers

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Contributor Information

Debby L. Gerritsen, Heyendaal Institute, Nijmegen, d.gerritsen@hin.ru.nl .

Teake P. Ettema, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam.

Ellen Boelens, Nursing home De Schiphorst, Meppel.

Joke Bos, AOC De Pijp, Amsterdam.

Frans Hoogeveen, Stichting Florence, Rijswijk.

Jacomine de Lange, Trimbos-Institute, Utrecht.

Lucinda Meihuizen, Stichting Zorgpartners Midden-Holland, Gouda.

Carla J. M. Schölzel-Dorenbos, Memory Clinic Slingeland Hospital, Doetinchem, The Netherlands.

Rose-Marie Dröes, EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam.

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Articles from American Journal of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias are provided here courtesy of SAGE Publications

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