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Dementia and Quality-of-Life Issues in Older People

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Aging in European Societies

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 6))

Abstract

This chapter will argue that whilst population ageing is a positive feature of recent times and something we should clearly celebrate, an inevitable consequence of increased longevity is the growth in numbers of older people across Europe who will present with a dementia. An overview of facts and figures about dementia and its prevalence in Ireland, the United Kingdom and across Europe will then be presented and some models for understanding dementia will then be discussed. An argument will be marshalled that to better understand dementia, we must first attempt to listen to the voices of those diagnosed and find out more from them about their own individual experiences and in particular about quality-of-life (QoL) issues.

After various definitions of QoL being forwarded, this chapter will progress to a discussion of some of the current tensions and debates arising in the literature on dementia and QoL. These include: (1) measurement issues—such as should this be subjective or objective or both and (2) methodological issues such as the relevance of quantitative and qualitative research and (3) logistical issues such as the difficulties involved in attempting to gain insights about QoL from people with a severe dementia. It will be argued that whilst quantitative research using validated scales has in the past yielded very useful information on QoL and dementia, a growing body of literature now suggests that to rely solely upon quantitative methods restricts access to other useful knowledge and that qualitative approaches in dementia research can widen and complement current knowledge and can help to generate new ideas and concepts. A case will be forwarded that inductive approaches to exploring QoL in dementia can offer more innovative and more in-depth understandings of this important topic. This will be illustrated, where possible, by examples drawn from Irish work carried out on the topic by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of SocialWork and Social Policy, Trinity College, Arts Building, Room 3035, Dublin 2, Ireland

    Ana Diaz-Ponce & Suzanne Cahill

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  1. Ana Diaz-Ponce
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  2. Suzanne Cahill
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Correspondence to Ana Diaz-Ponce .

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  1. University of Nicosia, Vosporou 23, Nicosia, 2370, Cyprus

    Constantinos Phellas

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Diaz-Ponce, A., Cahill, S. (2013). Dementia and Quality-of-Life Issues in Older People. In: Phellas, C. (eds) Aging in European Societies. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 6. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8345-9_7

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