The Activities of Dementia Partners and the Quality of Life of the Elderly with Dementia in Rural Area / 農村醫學 地域保健

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to identify the level of quality of life and related factors in the elderly with dementia living in their houses of rural area who are receiving dementia partners’ supporting activities. @*Methods@#The study participants were 55 elderly people with dementia living in their houses who were participating in the dementia partner pilot project among those registered in the public health center in one area and 55 dementia partners. Data were analyzed by independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. @*Results@#The factors that had a significant effect on quality of life included depression to predict the quality of life in the elderly with dementia. And its explanatory power was 46.8%. @*Conclusions@#Based on these results, it is crucial not only to maintain physical functions but also to decrease depression by emotional support activities so as to enhance their quality of life, therefore, it is required to develop and apply the integrative supporting programs in rural area. From the result that dementia partner’s self-compassion would lower the depression in the elderly with dementia significantly, it is considered to develop the programs to enhance dementia partners’ self-compassion.