Proxy evaluation of dignity expectations and satisfaction of older patients with dementia by family members and nurses

Abstract

Abstract Aim Develop a proxy evaluation questionnaire for patients' family members and nurses to evaluate dignity expectations and satisfaction of patients with dementia. Design Cross‐sectional study. Method A proxy questionnaire draft was prepared with 30 items on expectations for dignity and 23 items on satisfaction with dignity. And administered to three paired groups: 81 older patients with intact cognitive function, 75 family members, and 77 nurses. Results 18 of 30 items and 21 of 23 were correlated between patients and their family members' responses on dignity expectations and satisfaction, respectively. When limited to nurses with clinical experience of ≥20 years, there were significant correlations between patients' and nurses' responses (p < .05). Exploratory factor analysis of patient's responses to significantly correlated items extracted 3 factors with 13 items of expectations for dignity but no factors of satisfaction with dignity. Using a questionnaire provides insight for proxy evaluation of expectations for dignity.

Keywords

• dementia
• dignity
• ethics
• geriatric nursing
• proxy evaluation