title: Subjective quality of life of those 65 years and older experiencing dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe how people experiencing dementia define quality of life and how this may be supported.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative descriptive component of mixed methods cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Western Canadian community (4-h weekly care minimum), supportive housing (24-h support/supervision), personal care homes (24-h nursing).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and thirty-six persons aged 65+ experiencing dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interview questions. Rating of meeting life's goals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants characterised quality of life as: freedom, independence, having basic needs met, physical health, engagement in meaningful activities and tranquility. A need for self-determination/choice was evidenced across all domains. Increased access to skilled nursing care, support for meaningful engagement with family and meeting life's goals were endorsed as adding most to quality of life; 43% reported meeting all life's major goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People experiencing dementia may have better quality of life when choice/self-determination is supported. Enhancements in care environment, independence, engagement and meeting of life's goals merit urgent attention.
authors: Winnipeg Health Region, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Manitoba Centre for Nursing and Health Research, Helen Glass Centre for Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada LSArcher@deerlodge.mb.ca.
authors: Lois A
authors: LA
authors: Stewart-Archer
authors: School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Simmons College, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Afrooz
authors: A
authors: Afghani
authors: Older Persons' Health Care, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia.
authors: Christine M
authors: CM
authors: Toye
authors: PhD Program - Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Trident University International, Cypress, CA, USA.
authors: Frank A
authors: FA
authors: Gomez
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: aged; dementia; quality of life; self-determination