New Tool Measures Quality of Life in People with Dementia

A study by University of Queensland (UQ) researchers in PharmacoEconomics assessed a new tool to measure the quality of life of people with dementia, which the authors believe will lead to better targeted care for those with the condition, reports ScienceDaily . The tool evaluates five key quality of life contributors — physical health, mood, memory, living situation, and ability to do fun activities — and factors in the perspectives of people with dementia. UQ Professor Tracy Comans said the tool indicated that physical health was rated the most valuable contributor, followed by a person's living situation. "The priorities of people with dementia and their caregivers differed from the general population, with their living situation and the ability to do fun things being valued as the most important contributors to quality of life," she noted. "However, people with dementia, their caregivers, and the general population all valued memory as least important to good quality of life." Researchers said the tool could now be employed to ensure the views of people with dementia and their caregivers are accounted for when considering interventions for improving quality of life.