Abstract
IntroductionPrevious research has found a negative effect of dementia on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of persons with dementia (PWD) and their primary informal caregivers. However, the impact of dementia on HrQoL of other individuals sharing a household with PWD has not been investigated to date. The current study therefore aimed to determine differences in the HrQoL between those sharing a household with PWD and those not living with PWD. In addition, factors related to the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD were evaluated.MethodsThe analyses were based on data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, using the SF-12 to measure HrQoL. Mixed-effects models were calculated to compare the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD and persons not living with PWD, as well as to determine factors related to the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD. Bootstrapping was used where residuals were not normally distributed.ResultsMixed-effect models showed a significantly lower HrQoL among those sharing a household with PWD, compared to those not living with PWD. Number of diseases, number of persons in the household, marital status and educational level were significantly related to HrQoL among those sharing a household with PWD.DiscussionThe HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD was reduced compared to persons not living with PWD. Further, those living with PWD in small households, or those with multi-morbidities had a lower HrQoL. Further research focusing on HrQoL in the social environment of PWD is needed.
Highlights
Previous research has found a negative effect of dementia on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of persons with dementia (PWD) and their primary informal caregivers
Differences in HrQoL between those sharing a household with PWD, who act as the primary caregiver, and other persons in the household, were not observed
The HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD was reduced compared with persons not living with PWD
Summary
Previous research has found a negative effect of dementia on the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) of persons with dementia (PWD) and their primary informal caregivers. Mixed-effects models were calculated to compare the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD and persons not living with PWD, as well as to determine factors related to the HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD. Results Mixed-effect models showed a significantly lower HrQoL among those sharing a household with PWD, compared to those not living with PWD. Number of persons in the household, marital status and educational level were significantly related to HrQoL among those sharing a household with PWD. Discussion The HrQoL of those sharing a household with PWD was reduced compared to persons not living with PWD. In the later stages of the disease, cognitive and physical impairments worsen, so that half of patients require 35 h of care, or more, per week [7]. HrQoL decreases when residential care is unavoidable and patients have to leave their familiar living environment [9]
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