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Impact of Care-Recipient Relationship Type on Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Adults With Dementia Over Time.

Authors :
Lai, Aiping
Griffith, Lauren E
Kuspinar, Ayse
Turchyn, Jenna-Smith
Richardson, Julie
Source :
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry & Neurology; Jul2024, Vol. 37 Issue 4, p294-306, 13p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Introduction: Maintaining quality of life (QoL) has been identified as the primary goal of care services for person living with dementia (PLWD). Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on five rounds of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) over 4 years. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to examine the prediction of relationship type on older adults' QoL through four domains: mental health, general health, functional limitations, and pain. Results: older adults cared for by an adult-child or multiple caregivers predicted increased risk for functional limitations after adjustment for their socio-demographic and dementia status (IRR = 1.53, CI [1.26, 1.86]; IRR = 1.36, CI [1.14, 1.61], respectively). The interaction between the relationship type and education was significant. Older adults with a high school education or below, who were cared for by an adult child, had a significantly higher risk of increasing functional limitations over 4 years compared to those cared for by a spouse/partner (contrast =.50, P =.01, 95% CI [.07,.93]; contrast=.52, P =.03, 95% CI [.03, 1.02]; respectively). Similarly, older adults with a high school education, who were cared for by multiple caregivers, also experienced a significantly higher risk of increasing functional limitations than those cared for by a spouse/partner (contrast =.44, P =.03, 95% CI [.02,.85]). Conclusion: Our findings provide evidence of the significant contribution of relationship type on PLWD's QoL changes over time. They also help to prioritize resource allocation while addressing PLWD's demands by socio-demographics such as education level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
08919887
Volume :
37
Issue :
4
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry & Neurology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177178573
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/08919887231215044