Korean J Adult Nurs.  2016 Aug;28(4):367-377. 10.7475/kjan.2016.28.4.367.

Quality of Life in the Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and their Caregivers: Caregivers' Point of View

• Kang SJ
• Choi-Kwon

• KMID: 2351401
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7475/kjan.2016.28.4.367

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their and caregivers and its influencing factors.
METHODS
A descriptive research design was used. 211 pairs of AD patients and their caregivers were recruited from a neurology outpatient clinic of S medical center in Seoul, Korea. Caregivers completed several structured questionnaires regarding AD patients' QoL as well as their QoL, patients' behavioral and psychological symptoms, patients' activities of daily living (ADL), social support, and quality of relationship between AD patients and caregivers. Cognitive status of AD patients was assessed by the researchers using Korean Mini-Mental State Examination.
RESULTS
The scores of QoL were 26.91 for AD patients and 85.62 for their caregivers. In the multiple regression, factors associated with AD patients' QoL were the quality of relationship (β=.44), ADL (β=-.33), patient's age (β=.20), caregivers' QoL (β=.20), and patient's gender (β=.11). Factors associated with caregivers' QoL were the quality of relationship (β=.34), relationship (β=.32), patient's QoL (β=.26), caregivers' gender (β=.18), social support (β=.12), and the level of caregivers' education (β=.12).
CONCLUSION
To improve the QoL in AD patients and their caregivers, strategies to promote their quality of relationship are needed.

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Alzheimer Disease*
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Caregivers*
Education
Humans
Korea
Neurology
Quality of Life*
Research Design
Seoul

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