A psychometric evaluation of a Swedish version of the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) scale.
Journal article, 2007
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the validity, reliability and responsiveness of a Swedish translation of the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) Scale. METHOD: A total of 169 elderly residents at 19 dementia special care units in eight long-term care facilities in the Gothenburg city region participated in the study. Assessments were made by 107 proxy informants. RESULTS: Results showed satisfactory levels of internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.74), acceptable inter-rater reliability between informants (0.69), and high test-retest reliability (0.86). As hypothesized, QUALID scores were also associated with those from other quality-of-life (QoL) indices (criterion validity), as well as with use of psychoactive drugs, and with tests of cognitive impairment (clinical validity). The responsiveness of the questionnaire was also acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: As important clinical decisions may derive from perceived QoL effects, it is vital that the QoL data be reliable, valid and sensitive to change. Our evaluations of the psychometric properties of the Swedish QUALID indicate that it satisfactorily meets the need for an instrument to assess QoL in late-stage dementia in Sweden, in a wide range of settings and applications.
Homes for the Aged
Health Status Indicators
Questionnaires
Sweden
Male
psychology
Reproducibility of Results
Mental Status Schedule
statistics & numerical data
Aged
Female
Cross-Cultural Comparison
Humans
80 and over
statistics & numerical data
Psychometrics
Nursing Homes
Language
Dementia
drug therapy
psychology
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
psychology
Quality of Life
Author
Hanna Falk
University of Gothenburg
Lars-Olof Persson
University of Gothenburg
Helle Wijk
University of Gothenburg
International Psychogeriatrics
1041-6102 (ISSN) 1741-203X (eISSN)
Vol. 19 6 1040-50Subject Categories
Nursing
DOI
10.1017/S1041610207005777
PubMed
17697438