What neurological patients regard as quality of life

The aim of this study was to investigate how patients with progressive neurological disorders describe what they perceive as quality of life. The patients (n = 169) were interviewed while staying at a neurological rehabilitation centre by way of an open question, what 'quality of life' represented to them. Patients' statements were classified and a comparison was made with Kajandi's three levels of factors constituting quality of life. The categories that came forth were 'living in a sense of affinity', 'being independent', 'living on one's own terms' and 'feeling that life is meaningful'. The statements constituting the basis of the categories were impressive and illustrated wisdom. The results underline the uniqueness of each patient's situation, and how important it is that nursing and treatment are adjusted to the needs of the individual.