Values of Patients and Care Partners in Dementia Treatment Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Butt Maayra, Drakes Josiah, Rosa Paola, Bahti Melanie, Harkins Kristin, Karlawish Jason, Halpern Scott, Auriemma Catherine
Primary Institution: University of Pennsylvania
Hypothesis
How do persons living with dementia and their family care partners value hypothetical treatment outcomes relative to one another?
Conclusion
Patients and their care partners have differing values when considering treatment outcomes for dementia.
Supporting Evidence
- Slowing declines in brain function scored highest among all participants.
- Care partners valued reduced agitation and combativeness more than patients did.
- Patients valued reducing family caregiver stress more than care partners did.
- Care partners of those with mild dementia valued slowing declines in brain function more than those with moderate or severe dementia.
Takeaway
People with dementia and their caregivers care about different things when it comes to treatment, so it's important to listen to both.
Methodology
Participants distributed 100 points across six potential treatment outcomes based on importance, and comparisons were made using statistical tests.
Participant Demographics
154 care partners (77%) and 47 patients with dementia (23%)
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.02, p=0.007
Confidence Interval
IQR 10, 30
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website