Comparison of patient and caregiver reports of patient activity participation and its relationship to mental health in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Siedlecki, K.L.; Tatarina, O.; Sanders, L.; Albert, M.; Blacker, D.; Dubois, B.; Brandt, J.; Stern, Y.
Journals of Gerontology. Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 64(6): 687-695
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1079-5014 PMID: 19805487 DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbp071Document Number: 384018
The relationship between engagement in pleasant activities as rated by the patient and as rated by the caregiver from the patient's perspective was examined using structural equation modeling in a sample of patients (N = 277) diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. The two activity participation ratings were only moderately related to one another. Furthermore, depression was the only significant predictor of the patient-rated activity participation, whereas severity of depression, degree of personality change, level of dependence, and cognition were all significant predictors of caregiver-rated activity participation. These findings suggest that caregivers consider a wider range of variables when evaluating the patient's engagement in activities than does the patient. Predictors of patient-rated activity participation did not differ as a function of age or cognition.