Dementia Support Line
Quality of Life: scales and measures
How do you rate the experience of people who have dementia? There are lots of ways, from taking 'snapshots' to measuring change over a period of time.
- Working with questions and data
- Quantitative Data
- Qualitative Data
- Identifying and developing questions
- You are here: Quality of Life: scales and measures
- Analysing your dementia research data
- Checking your dementia research results
- Describing change and impact, and action plans
- Reporting on your research findings
The Dementia Statements
The Dementia Statements (sometimes known as the 'we' statements) have been developed by people living with dementia, and carers. They set out things that influence their perceptions of quality of life, in rights-based ways. They can offer a starting point for measurement of people's experience.Published Quality of Life Scales
Depending on what questions you want to ask, and to whom, you may be able to use a published scale. Some come with their own strict methods for use, such as they must be completed face-to-face with the assistance of an interviewer. Be aware that some scales and methods may require a licence to use.
Examples of questionnaires or instruments to measure the quality of life of people with dementia:
Brod, M. Stewart, A.L., Sands, L., & Walton, P. (1999). Conceptualization and measurement of quality of life in dementia: the dementia quality of life instrument (DQoL). The Gerontologist, 39, 25-35.
