Quality of Life and Deficit Identification in Dementia

Abstract

Numerous studies have examined self-identification of deficits in persons with dementia. Few of these studies consider the influence of interpersonal and social factors on deficit identification, and most focus on whether or why deficits are ‘underreported’ by persons with dementia. In our studies, we found considerable variation in deficit identification within and among persons with dementia, and some ‘overreporting’ of deficits in comparison with caregiver reports across all of the domains studied. Thus, focusing on ‘underreporting’ and aggregate level data neglects information that could be important to measuring and understanding quality of life in dementia. Current approaches to measuring and understanding quality of life in dementia make divergent assumptions about the impact of deficit identification. Emerging phenomenological perspectives suggest that proactive interventions that treat deficit identification as an interpersonal and social challenge inherent in the experience of dementia would enhance the quality of life of caregiving dyads.