Early-Stage Partner in Care Living Alone Plus

This scale assesses 13 global items of quality of life covering areas like physical health, mood, family, and finances, with the outcomes poor, fair, good, and excellent. It can be used across different dementia stages and is designed for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The scale consists of 13 questions. Each question has four possible responses - poor, fair, good, and excellent, each equating to 1-4 points respectively. The total score ranges from 13 to 52, with higher scores indicating a higher quality of life.

This scale comprises three questions that measure three dimensions of loneliness: relational connectedness, social connectedness, and self-perceived isolation. The scale is rated with hardly ever, some of the time, and often, with scores ranging from 1 to 3, respectively. The total score ranges from 3 to 9, with scores ranging from 6 to 9 indicating loneliness.

The DQoL consists of 30 items and five scales: positive affect (six items), negative affect (11 items), feelings of belonging (three items), self-esteem (four items), sense of aesthetics (five items) and one global item. QDOL is a Likert scale with the outcomes never, seldom, sometimes, often, and very often, ranging from 1 to 5, respectively. Higher scores indicate better QoL, except on the negative affect scale. The study focuses on assessing positive (e.g., content) and negative (e.g., afraid) feelings.

Shortened version of the CESD-20. It measures depressive symptoms and assesses feelings such as feeling bothered by things, having trouble concentrating, etc. It is scored by summing the responses to its 10 items, each rated on a 4-point scale with scores rarely or none of the time, some of the time, occasionally, and most of the time, ranging from 0 to 3, respectively. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms.

Tool used for assessing feelings, such as feeling critical of others, irritated, tense, calm, etc., using the Likert scale not at all, a little, somewhat, and very much with scores ranging from 0 to 3 respectively. higher scores indicate higher levels of anger.

Assessment of the level of preparedness associated with future care using the Likert scale: not at all prepared, not too well prepared, somewhat well prepared, pretty well prepared, and very well prepared. Scores range from 1 to 5. Higher scores indicate higher levels of care preparedness.

Assessment of the diligence in one's own health and leisure activity satisfaction using the ratings not at all, a little, and a lot. Scores range from 1 to 3, respectively, with higher scores indicating higher levels of leisure satisfaction and diligence in one's own health.

Assessment of the knowledge and understanding of dementia, causes, course, and treatment. Answers are true or false.

Peferences for who (informal or paid help) assist with care. Choices are: care partner, family/friends and Paid helper.

Discussion with others on daily and future care options. The answers to the choices are like it very much, like it somewhat, dislike it somewhat, dislike it very much, and don't know.

Assessment of the degree of communication and openness with others. Respondents rate the extent to which they engaged in the behavior using the ratings none of the time, some of the time, much of the time, and most or all of the time. Scores range from 1 to 5, respectively, with higher scores indicating higher engagement in disruptive behavior.

A subscale specifically designed to assess the level of confidence, accomplishment, and decision-making in people with dementia. The assessment is measured with the outcomes never, seldom, sometimes, often, and very often, with scores ranging from 1 to 5, respectively, with higher scores indicating higher levels of confidence.

Gives a brief assessment of mental state status. It assesses different aspects of cognitive function, including orientation, memory, language, and visuospatial skills through different activities. The test is scored out of 30, with lower scores indicating more significant cognitive impairment.

Socio-demographics characteristics questions (e.g., level of education, marital status).

Perceived study benefits questions (e.g., How much do you think you benefitted from participating in EPIC Living Alone Plus?)