The association between changes in health status and nursing home resident quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Previous research on nursing home resident quality of life (QOL) has mainly been cross-sectional. This study examined the association between changes in QOL and changes in resident clinical factors.


METHODS
A longitudinal study of resident QOL was conducted in two nursing homes. Self-report interviews using a multidimensional measure of QOL were linked with clinical data from the Minimum Data Set. Five waves of interviews were conducted at 6-month intervals.


RESULTS
Residents with one or more Stage II or higher pressure ulcers for two consecutive 6-month periods reported declines in autonomy, security, and spiritual well-being QOL domains; those with declines in physical disability reported declines in the dignity domain. Increases in depressive symptoms were associated with decreases in comfort, meaningful activities, and food enjoyment domains, and increases in pain were associated with decreases in functional competence and dignity domains.


CONCLUSIONS
There is evidence of an association between physical health and self-reported QOL. However, not every dimension of QOL exhibited the same pattern. Further research is needed on the link between specific clinical factors and aspects of QOL.
Degenholtz
Howard B
HB
Department of Health Policy & Management, Center for Bioethics and Health Law, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
Rosen
Jules
J
Castle
Nicholas
N
Mittal
Vikas
V
Liu
Darren
D
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010414:Pennsylvania; D011788:Quality of Life