Care-Related Quality of Life in Old Age

It's a core issue at the heart of elder care: while best-practice data exist for long-term care, quality of life as a concept, measure and standard for care outcomes remains elusive. The result of an ambitious European research initiative, the Care Keys Project addresses quality of life issues among frail, care-dependent seniors, taking their social as well as health needs into account. Care-Related Quality of Life in Old Age explains the theory behind Care Keys, its methodology, empirical findings, and practical considerations in promoting effective, efficient elder care aimed at social and emotional well-being and including disabled and cognitively impaired patients. This important book:Brings together gerontological knowledge from medical, psychology, nursing, sociology, economics, and health care systems perspectives.Introduces an integrated theory of care-related quality of life that emphasizes social, emotional and mental aspects as well as physical longevity. Presents a practice oriented framework for quality management of long-term care toward improving elders' quality of life.Examines quality of life in home and long-term care settings across the five European member countries of Care Keys. Describes the Care Keys Toolkit, featuring innovative measures for monitoring and evaluating care and troubleshooting for problem areas.For those charged with improvements at any level of this vital area-administrative, policy, research, professional, or student-this volume will bring new insights and stimulation for potential answers on the complex challenges of elder health care.