Quality of life: perceptions of residential care.
Residents in selected aged care facilities in Australia (n = 185) and New Zealand (n = 44) completed a 56 item quality of life instrument derived and refined through grounded theory. Ten scales were developed from the items. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were no main differences as a function of cohort (Alzheimer's or non-Alzheimer's) or country of residence (Australia or New Zealand). Significant differences emerged as a function of the source of help in completing the instrument. Where nursing staff assisted residents complete the instrument, scoring indicated that residents enjoyed a better quality of life than if the instrument was completed by the resident alone, or with assistance from non-nursing staff and others, including relatives, welfare students and diversional therapists. Nursing staff rather than non-professional nursing staff tended to work more with non-Alzheimer residents when completing the questionnaire. Significant differences were also discovered in the ranking of concerns on the basis of cohort and country of residence.
Byrne
H
H
School of Human Services, Southern Cross University, New South Wales, Australia.
MacLean
D
D
D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires