People with Dementia in the Community: Satisfaction with Life and Health-related Quality of Life

Abstract

To assess the satisfaction with life and health-related quality of life of patients with dementia living in the community. Design/methodology/approach: Cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was administered to 50 subjects identified in the community. Instruments used included the EQ-5D, Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and Barthel Index (BI). Findings: It is possible to use a self-report approach with EQ-5D and SWLS as assessment measures in the Portuguese community context. EQ-5D average score was 0,43 points and EQ-VAS average score was 56,04 points. SWLS average score was 17,32 points. BI average score was 13,82 points. Originality/value: This study is the first to assess the health-related quality of life of patients with the dementia exclusively in the Portuguese community context.

Dementia and Quality of Life

“…the dementia syndrome appears with various diseases affecting the brain in a primary or secondary way. this progressive irreversible organic mental illness originates after an individual's development of cognitive functions is completed and it can be affected by a number of factors (Pereira et al, 2015).…”