Quality of life of patients with Alzheimer's disease: differential perceptions between spouse and adult child caregivers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Little research has been conducted into differences in the perceived quality of life of patients (QoL-p) when comparing spouse and adult child caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to identify the differential variables in perceived QoL-p between patients and carers, distinguishing between spouse and adult child caregivers. METHOD Cross-sectional analytic study of 251 patients and their carers (spouses: 112; adult children: 139) using the QoL-AD scale and sociodemographic and clinical data. RESULTS The more positive perception of spouses was associated with higher educational levels of the caregiver and greater functional autonomy in the patient. The more negative perception of adult children was associated with greater caregiver burden and higher levels of depression in the patient. The perception of daughter caregivers showed the strongest association with mental health and burden. CONCLUSIONS Spouse caregivers have a more positive perception of the patient's quality of life than adult child caregivers.