Quality of life and associated characteristics in long-term care residents with advanced dementia in Macao: a cross-sectional study.

Background: The quality of life (QoL) of long-term care residents with advanced dementia represents a critical concern. However, empirical data on this topic especially within Chinese society remains relatively scarce.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the QoL in this population and identify the key factors affecting it.

Methods: A cross-sectional study employing cluster sampling methodology was carried out in three long-term care facilities in Macao, involving a sample of 81 residents. The participants were assessed using the Functional Assessment Staging Test (FAST) and the Quality of Life in Late-Stage Dementia (QUALID) scale. Other variables recorded included Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD), comorbidities, PAINAD scores, and Waterlow scores.

Results: The majority of participants were female (65.4%), and 70.1% were classified at Stage 7 on the FAST scale. The mean score on the QUALID was 23.94 ± 7.58, suggesting a relatively lower QoL in Macao, particularly in items of smiling, interaction, and touch. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that higher PAINAD scores, presence of BPSD, and higher FAST stage were significantly associated with lower quality of life among long-term care residents with advanced dementia, explaining 65.9% of the total variance (F = 36.639, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: The findings indicated that residents with advanced dementia in Macao experience relatively lower quality of life, particularly in aspects such as smiling, interaction, and touch. Pain, BPSD, and advanced dementia stage are the three major associated factors of QoL among long-term care residents with advanced dementia. Comprehensive and individually tailored care strategies focusing on pain management and interventions targeting BPSD are suggested to enhance QoL in this population.