When it comes to ensuring adequate healthcare in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, it’s important to learn what residents think about their care and comfort. One approach is to survey residents about their quality of life (QOL) and use the data for the facility report cards states and consumers use to rate the providers. U.S. regulatory officials and facility providers have been hesitant to include resident-reported QOL data in report cards out of concerns that the responses from aging residents may be inconsistent and unreliable—particularly from individuals with different forms of dementia. New research from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health proves resident survey responses about their own quality of life while in the facility are typically reliable—including those with dementia—and will make report cards more useful for consumers.

Source Here: medicalxpress.com