Preferences and life evaluations of older adults with and without dementia: Reliability, stability, and proxy knowledge.

Abstract

This study assessed the reliability and stability of care preferences and life evaluations among older adults with and without dementia. The study also examined spouse proxy predictions of partner responses. Test-retest reliability over 1 week, stability over 1 year, and proxy knowledge were all moderate to good, but lower for people with dementia. In all 3 areas, however, there was broad interindividual variability. People with dementia may become less reliable and stable in their self-reports, and some spouse proxies may have flawed knowledge about their partner, but dementia status alone is not sufficient to presume poor reliability or knowledge.

Dementia, sexuality and consent in residential aged care facilities

“…Carpenter et al who examined the preferences and life evaluations of older adults with and without dementia found that, although overall participants with dementia as a group were less reliable than those without any cognitive impairment, there was a large degree of individual variability within the sample. As the authors describe it, some individuals without cognitive impairment ‘were not reliable in their reports, and others were very reliable, even later in the progression of dementia,’55 thereby highlighting that each person with dementia is an individual and that no one generic rule or principle can fit all. Interestingly, they also found that on the subject of the nature of marital relationships, reliability for individuals with dementia was particularly good, which reinforces the theory that dementia does not stop people from making, and continuously assessing, choices regarding intimacy.…”

Education and Executive Function Mediate Engagement in Advance Care Planning in Early Cognitive Impairment

“…14,15 On the other hand, recognizing the benefits of ACP will facilitate its engagement. 16 End-of-life care, often perceived as an emotional and financial burden to caregivers, 17 can potentially engender disputes among family members. 18 Therefore, having clear directives and knowing the wishes of the person with dementia could help reduce this burden.…”

The Consistency of Self-Reported Preferences for Everyday Living: Implications for Person-Centered Care Delivery

“…Recent evidence indicates that older adults, including those with mild to moderate dementia, can consistently report on state dependent questions, preferences, choices, quality of life, and involvement in care over short test-retest periods of time (Carpenter, Kissel, & Lee, 2007; Clark, Tucke, & Whitlatch, 2008; Feinberg & Whitlatch, 2001; Thorgrimsen, Selwood, Spector, Royan, de Madariaga Lopez, Woods, & Orrell, 2003; Whitlatch, Feinberg, & Tucke, 2005a; 2005b). However, limited research has extensively examined the consistency of how people rate the importance of everyday preferences, such as personal care preferences related to bathing or eating as well as recreational preferences (Housen, Shannon, Simon, Edelen, Cadogan, Jones, et al, 2009).…”