Quality of life: perceptions of residential care

Residents in selected aged care facilities in Australia (n = 185) and New Zealand (n = 44) completed a 56 item quality of life instrument derived and refined through grounded theory. Ten scales were developed from the items. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that there were no main differences as a function of cohort (Alzheimer's or non-Alzheimer's) or country of residence (Australia or New Zealand). Significant differences emerged as a function of the source of help in completing the instrument. Where nursing staff assisted residents complete the instrument, scoring indicated that residents enjoyed a better quality of life than if the instrument was completed by the resident alone, or with assistance from non-nursing staff and others, including relatives, welfare students and diversional therapists. Nursing staff rather than non-professional nursing staff tended to work more with non-Alzheimer residents when completing the questionnaire. Significant differences were also discovered in the ranking of concerns on the basis of cohort and country of residence.