OBJECTIVES: This study explored the quality of life (QoL) and attitudes to aging in older adults with and without dementia, and ascertained the main factors that predict QoL and attitude to ageing. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 563 community-dwelling adults with (PwD) and without dementia (PwoD) >60 years of age was conducted in three Czech regions. A tools battery including the Quality of Life-Alzheimer's Disease Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale, Patient Dignity Inventory, Attitude to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ), Short Physical Performance Battery, and Barthel Index, were administered. RESULTS: PwD had worse scores in QoL and AAQ (both p = 0.0001). Less depression (p < 0.001), better sense of dignity (p < 0.05), and lower pain (p < 0.05) in PwoD predicted better scoring for QoL and AAQ. Physical ability in PwoD (p < 0.05), living alone (p < 0.05) and self-sufficiency (p < 0.001) in PwDwere predictors influencing QoL.Age (p < 0.01) in PwoD, gender (p < 0.05) and physical ability (p < 0.001) in PwD influenced AAQ. CONCLUSIONS: This research is the first study to show that dignity can influence the QoL and attitude to aging in community-dwelling older adults. Our findings suggest that depression and dignity are common predictors of QoL and AAQ in older adults with and without dementia.

2nd Internal Clinic of Gastroenterology and Geriatrics University Hospital Olomouc Czech Republic

Neurology Clinic University Hospital Hradec Králové Czech Republic

Neurology Clinic University Hospital Ostrava Czech Republic

The Centre for Research and Science Faculty of Health Sciences Palacký University Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic

References provided by Crossref.org

Predictors of attitudes towards aging in elderly living in community care

Perception of dignity in older men and women in the early stages of dementia: a cross-sectional study

Dignity and attitudes to aging: A cross-sectional study of older adults

Dignity and Predictors of Its Change Among Inpatients in Long-Term Care