How Does Alzheimer’s Affect Quality Of Life

Quality Of Life Utility Measure In Health Economics

In economic cost-utility studies generic descriptions of QoL are combined with preference-based valuations. From an economic perspective, the preferences of the individual are the key criteria to assess whether goods or services can be considered “efficient”‘ from the perspective of the consumer . Economists would suggest eliciting the preferences of those individuals affected by an intervention. When looking from a medical point of view, this would definitely be the patient. As in dementia the choice of the approach may be restricted by the capabilities of the patient, one would have to consider surveying a proxy instead of the patient in cases where he would be unable to articulate his preferences but the use of this approach may be limited .

Regardless of whether a method is used that asks for a direct appraisal by the patient or that assesses of preferences these approaches implicitly assume that the patient is in a position to perform a valid appraisal of his or her own situation and that a sufficient knowledge about the disease is at hand.

Quality Of Life: Scales And Measures

How do you rate the experience of people who have dementia? There are lots of ways, from taking ‘snapshots’ to measuring change over a period of time.

Studies have found that factors such as mood, engagement in pleasant activities, and being able to perform activities of daily living are important, with physical health and cognitive functioning also being important.

Active Management Of Alzheimer’s Dementia

• Appropriate use of available treatment options.
• Effective management of coexisting conditions.
• Providing family caregivers with effective training in managing the day-to-day life of the care recipient.
• Coordination of care among physicians, other health care professionals and lay caregivers.
• Participation in activities that are meaningful to the individual with dementia and bring purpose to his or her life.
• Having opportunities to connect with others living with dementia; support groups and supportive services are examples of such opportunities.
• Becoming educated about the disease.
• Planning for the future.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as practical information for living with Alzheimer’s and being a caregiver, visit alz.org.

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Avoidable Use Of Health Care And Long

6.5.1 Preventable hospitalizations

Preventable hospitalizations are one common measure of health care quality. Preventable hospitalizations are hospitalizations for conditions that could have been avoided with better access to, or quality of, preventive and primary care. Unplanned hospital readmissions within 30 days are another type of hospitalization that potentially could have been avoided with appropriate post-discharge care. In 2013, 21% of hospitalizations for fee-for-service Medicare enrollees with Alzheimer’s or other dementias were either for unplanned readmissions within 30 days or for an ambulatory care sensitive condition . The total cost to Medicare of these potentially preventable hospitalizations was $4.7 billion . Of people with dementia who had at least one hospitalization, 18% were readmitted within 30 days. Of those who were readmitted within 30 days, 27% were readmitted two or more times. Ten percent of Medicare enrollees had at least one hospitalization for an ambulatory care-sensitive condition, and 14% of total hospitalizations for Medicare enrollees with Alzheimer’s or other dementias were for ambulatory care sensitive conditions.

FIGURE 16

Each Persons Journey Is Different

Each person has a unique health history. This health history is directly related to how AD will affect them. Its helpful, however, to know the statistics about average life expectancy, as well as how lifestyle and age can alter that length of time.

If you are a caretaker or were recently diagnosed with AD, you can find empowerment and courage in knowing how the condition tends to progress. This allows you to plan with your family and caretakers.

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Make Time For Reflection

At each new stage of dementia, you have to alter your expectations about what your loved one is capable of. By accepting each new reality and taking time to reflect on these changes, you can better cope with the emotional loss and find greater satisfaction in your caregiving role.

Keep a daily journal to record and reflect on your experiences. By writing down your thoughts, you can mourn losses, celebrate successes, and challenge negative thought patterns that impact your mood and outlook.

Count your blessings. It may sound counterintuitive in the midst of such challenges, but keeping a daily gratitude list can help chase away the blues. It can also help you focus on what your loved one is still capable of, rather than the abilities theyve lost.

Value what is possible. In the middle stages of dementia, your loved one still has many abilities. Structure activities to invite their participation on whatever level is possible. By valuing what your loved one is able to give, you can find pleasure and satisfaction on even the toughest days.

Improve your emotional awareness. Remaining engaged, focused, and calm in the midst of such tremendous responsibility can challenge even the most capable caregivers. By developing your emotional awareness skills, however, you can relieve stress, experience positive emotions, and bring new peace and clarity to your caretaking role.

Look After Your Health

• Exercise regularly. This could be a daily walk or gardening, or you could try tai chi or dancing.
• Ask your GP if you would benefit from flu vaccination and pneumonia vaccination.
• Get enough sleep. Try to avoid naps during the day and caffeine and alcohol at night.
• Depression is very common in dementia. Talk to your GP, as there are talking treatments that can help.
• Have regular dental, eyesight and hearing check-ups.

If you have a long-term condition, such as diabetes or heart disease, try to attend regular check-ups with your GP, which should include a review of the medicines you’re taking.

See your GP if you feel unwell, as things like chest or urine infections can make you feel very confused if not treated promptly.

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How Does Alzheimers Affect Quality Of Life

Memory, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases in the United States.How does dementia affect everyday life?Its true that problems with short term memory are a key symptom of Alzheimers disease, However, mild dementia due to Alzheimers disease, MN, Alzheimers disease affects most areas of your brain, As the cognitive deficits of dementia progress, fail to observe road signs and respect rules of the road, primarily because of the difficulties stemming from the study of patients with cognitive disorders.Alzheimers is an irreparable brain disorder that slowly abolishes an individuals memory and cognitive skills, 2015, but as the disease progresses the ability to drive will almost certainly deteriorate, and leads to progressive loss of autonomy and the ability to partake in social activities .Dementia is a highly disabling major neurocognitive disorder, Mankato, Alzheimers disease is also the most common cause of dementia among the elderly, some caregivers might not want drugs prescribed for people in the later stages of Alzheimers, F(4

The Alzheimers And Dementia Care Journey

Caring for someone with Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia can be a long, stressful, and intensely emotional journey. But youre not alone. In the United States, there are more than 16 million people caring for someone with dementia, and many millions more around the world. As there is currently no cure for Alzheimers or dementia, it is often your caregiving and support that makes the biggest difference to your loved ones quality of life. That is a remarkable gift.

However, caregiving can also become all-consuming. As your loved ones cognitive, physical, and functional abilities gradually diminish over time, its easy to become overwhelmed, disheartened, and neglect your own health and well-being. The burden of caregiving can put you at increased risk for significant health problems and many dementia caregivers experience depression, high levels of stress, or even burnout. And nearly all Alzheimers or dementia caregivers at some time experience sadness, anxiety, loneliness, and exhaustion. Seeking help and support along the way is not a luxury; its a necessity.

Just as each individual with Alzheimers disease or dementia progresses differently, so too can the caregiving experience vary widely from person to person. However, there are strategies that can aid you as a caregiver and help make your caregiving journey as rewarding as it is challenging.

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Racial And Ethnic Differences In The Prevalence Of Alzheimer’s And Other Dementias

Although there are more non-Hispanic whites living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States , older black/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos are disproportionately more likely than older whites to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias., , – Most studies indicate that older black/African Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites., , Some studies indicate older Hispanics/Latinos are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older whites.,, , However, Hispanics/Latinos comprise a very diverse group in terms of cultural history, genetic ancestry and health profiles, and there is evidence that prevalence may differ from one specific Hispanic/Latino ethnic group to another .,

There is evidence that missed diagnoses of Alzheimer’s and other dementias are more common among older black/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos than among older whites., Based on data for Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older, it has been estimated that Alzheimer’s or another dementia had been diagnosed in 10.3% of whites, 12.2% of Hispanics/Latinos and 13.8% of black/African Americans. Although rates of diagnosis were higher among black/African Americans than among whites, according to prevalence studies that detect all people who have dementia irrespective of their use of the health care system, the rates should be even higher for black/African Americans.

Predictors Of Change In Pqol Between Baseline And Follow Up

We used stepwise linear regression analysis to consider independent predictors of change in PQoL. No predictors of change in PQoL were identified in step 1 . In step 2 a decrease in PQoL was predicted by higher baseline QoL , and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms at baseline, and by a decline in cognition . This model accounted for 55% of the variance .

In step 3, the baseline and change in clinical variables for the MMSE, Cornell, RAID and baseline PQoL were entered. A decrease in PQoL at follow up was predicted by higher baseline QoL and fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms at baseline. Reduced PQoL at follow up was also predicted by worsening depression and deteriorating cognition . This model accounted for 52% of the variance .

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Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimers

Memory loss and memory problems is characteristically the first sign of the disease. Over time, other signs and symptoms may present themselves such as forgetting simple tasks, impaired vision or loss of judgement skills. Symptoms of Alzheimers will vary in severity from person to person, as no case is the same.; Typically, the symptoms will get progressively worse as the disease worsens, making it hard for an individual to live on their own.

Caregiving In The Late Stages Of Alzheimers Or Dementia

As Alzheimers or another dementia reaches the late stages, your loved one will likely require 24-hour care. They may be unable to walk or handle any personal care, have difficulty eating, be vulnerable to infections, and no longer able to express their needs. Problems with incontinence, mood, hallucinations, and delirium are also very common.

In your role as caregiver, youll likely be combining these new challenges with managing painful feelings of grief and loss and making difficult end-of-life decisions. You may even be experiencing relief that your loved ones long struggle is drawing to an end, or guilt that youve somehow failed as a caregiver. As at the other stages of your caregiving journey, its important to give yourself time to adjust, grieve your losses, and gain acceptance.

Since the caregiving demands are so extensive in the later stages, it may no longer be possible for you to provide the necessary care for your loved one alone. If the patient needs total support for routine activities such as bathing, dressing, or turning, you may not be strong enough to handle them on your own. Or you may feel that youre unable to ease their pain or make them as comfortable youd like. In such cases, you may want to consider moving them to a care facility such as a nursing home, where they can receive high levels of both custodial and medical care.

Connecting in the late stages of care

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Find Out More About The Diseases That Cause Dementia

Our about dementia information pages are a good place to start to find out more. You can get an overview of the different diseases that cause dementia, more information about the symptoms associated with these diseases and treatments that are currently available.

If you have further questions about dementia or want to know more about dementia research and how you and your loved ones can get involved, our Dementia Research Infoline can help. Call us on 0300 111 5 111 or email us at

Physical Changes To Expect

Which symptoms you have and when they appear are different for everyone.

Some people have physical problems before serious memory loss.

In one study, people who walked slowly and had poor balance were more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the following 6 years.

Some of the changes you might experience are:

• Loss of balance or coordination
• Stiff muscles

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What Does Age Have To Do With It

The age you are diagnosed with AD may have the greatest impact on your life expectancy. The earlier you are diagnosed, the longer you may live. Researchers at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health have discovered that the average survival time for people diagnosed at age 65 is 8.3 years. The average life expectancy for people diagnosed at age 90 is 3.4 years.

The Brain And Body Connection

Though the cause of Alzheimerâs is not known, doctors think the symptoms of the disease are caused by a buildup of harmful proteins in your brain called amyloid and tau. These proteins form large clumps, called tangles and plaques. They get in the way of normal brain function and kill healthy cells.

The damage usually starts in the area of your brain that forms memories. People with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease often have trouble remembering things. As the disease gets worse, the plaques and clusters also appear in the parts of the brain in charge of bodily behaviors.

Everyday activities like walking, eating, going to the bathroom, and talking become harder.

The effects of the disease will differ for each person as it gets worse. The pace can be slow. Some people live up to 20 years after a diagnosis. The average life expectancy, though, is 4 to 8 years.

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Lifetime Risk Of Alzheimer’s Dementia

Lifetime risk is the probability that someone of a given age who does not have a particular condition will develop the condition during his or her remaining life span. Data from the Framingham Heart Study were used to estimate lifetime risks of Alzheimer’s dementia by age and sex., As shown in Figure , the study found that the estimated lifetime risk for Alzheimer’s dementia at age 45 was approximately one in five for women and one in 10 for men. The risks for both sexes were slightly higher at age 65.

FIGURE 4

Caregiving In The Early Stages Of Alzheimers Or Dementia

In the early stages of Alzheimers disease or another type of dementia, your loved one may not need much caregiving assistance. Rather, your role initially may be to help them come to terms with their diagnosis, plan for the future, and stay as active, healthy, and engaged as possible.

Accept the diagnosis. Accepting a dementia diagnosis can be just as difficult for family members as it for the patient. Allow yourself and your loved one time to process the news, transition to the new situation, and grieve your losses. But dont let denial prevent you from seeking early intervention.

Deal with conflicting emotions. Feelings of anger, frustration, disbelief, grief, denial, and fear are common in the early stages of Alzheimers or dementiafor both the patient and you, the caregiver. Let your loved one express what theyre feeling and encourage them to continue pursuing activities that add meaning and purpose to their life. To deal with your own fears, doubts, and sadness, find others you can confide in.

Make use of available resources. There are a wealth of community and online resources to help you provide effective care on this journey. Start by finding the Alzheimers Association in your country . These organizations offer practical support, helplines, advice, and training for caregivers and their families. They can also put you in touch with local support groups.

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Ability To Detect Change Using The Qol

The QOL-AD scale was able to detect individual changes in QoL over a 20 week period. The QOL-AD has good reliability, and the ability to detect change supports the use of the QOL-AD as a valid longitudinal measure of self rated QoL by people with dementia. Improving QoL has now become a key area of focus in the quality of care provided within care homes. The QoL of residents in care homes may be influenced by different factors compared to those people with dementia living in their own homes or with relatives; such as having a sense of autonomy, security and privacy. QoL has been shown to be higher for those people with dementia living in the community compared to those living in institutions.