Title

Comparison of patient and caregiver reports activity participation and its relationship to mental health for patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Disciplines

Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Abstract

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.

Recommended Citation

Siedlecki, K.L., Tatarina, O., Sanders, L., Albert, M., Blacker, D., Dubois, B., Brandt, J., & Stern, Y. (2009). Comparison of patient and caregiver reports activity participation and its relationship to mental health for patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological and Social Sciences, 64, 687-695.