Abstract
BackgroundMeasuring person-centred outcomes and using this information to improve service delivery is a challenge for many care providers. We aimed to identify predictors of QoL among older adults receiving community-based aged care services and examine variation across different community care service outlets.MethodsA retrospective sample of 1141 Australians aged ≥60 years receiving community-based care services from a large service provider within 19 service outlets. Clients’ QoL was captured using the ICEpop CAPability Index. QoL scores and predictors of QoL (i.e. sociodemographic, social participation and service use) were extracted from clients’ electronic records and examined using multivariable regression. Funnel plots were used to examine variation in risk-adjusted QoL scores across service outlets.ResultsMean age was 81.5 years (SD = 8) and 75.5% were women. Clients had a mean QoL score of 0.81 (range 0–1, SD = 0.15). After accounting for other factors, being older (p < 0.01), having lower-level care needs (p < 0.01), receiving services which met needs for assistance with activities of daily living (p < 0.01), and having higher levels of social participation (p < 0.001) were associated with higher QoL scores. Of the 19 service outlets, 21% (n = 4) had lower mean risk-adjusted QoL scores than expected (< 95% control limits) and 16% (n = 3) had higher mean scores than expected.ConclusionUsing QoL as an indicator to compare care quality may be feasible, with appropriate risk adjustment. Implementing QoL tools allows providers to measure and monitor their performance and service outcomes, as well as identify clients with poor quality of life who may need extra support.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand clinical trial registry number: ACTRN12617001212347. Registered 18/08/2017.
Highlights
Measuring person-centred outcomes and using this information to improve service delivery is a challenge for many care providers
While the measurement of quality of life is not currently a mandatory requirement for aged care services, the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has emphasized that aged care services should be designed to promote the maintenance of older adults’ QoL by meeting standards in health, safety and personal care [4]
Our study describes the QoL of a large sample of people in the community who receive aged care services
Summary
Measuring person-centred outcomes and using this information to improve service delivery is a challenge for many care providers. While the measurement of quality of life is not currently a mandatory requirement for aged care services, the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has emphasized that aged care services should be designed to promote the maintenance of older adults’ QoL by meeting standards in health, safety and personal care [4] Research in both community-based and institutionalized aged care settings has predominantly focused on clinical indicators of care quality, such as incidence of pressure ulcers or number of falls and fall-related fractures [4], providing a limited reflection of the factors that matter most to individuals’ lives beyond basic medical and physical needs [5]
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