Advance Care Planning and Relationship Quality in Dementia
Author Information
Author(s): Bybee Sara, Clayton Jordana, Aruscavage Nancy, Utz Rebecca, Iacob Eli, Dassel Kara
Primary Institution: University of Utah
Hypothesis
The Life-Planning in Early Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias (LEAD) Guide improves ACP concordance and positively impacts relationship quality and grief among dementia dyads.
Conclusion
The LEAD guide may enhance ACP concordance, leading to better relationship quality and less grief among dementia dyads.
Supporting Evidence
- Dyads with more ACP concordance codes showed higher relationship quality.
- Dyads with more ACP discordance codes experienced more strained relationships and grief.
Takeaway
When people with dementia and their caregivers talk about their end-of-life wishes using a special guide, they tend to have better relationships and feel less sad.
Methodology
Dyads participated in discussions using the LEAD Guide and completed open-ended surveys about their experiences.
Participant Demographics
Participants included persons living with dementia and their care partners.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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