Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento observacional para la evaluación del bienestar en personas con demencia desde la perspectiva de la atención centrada en la persona: Listado de Indicadores de Bienestar / Development and validation of an observational tool for the assessment of well-being in people with dementia from the perspective of Person Centred Care: list of Well-being Indicators of Wellbeing

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el contexto del modelo de atención centrada en la persona, se expone la creación y validación de un instrumento observacional para la evaluación del bienestar en personas con demencia, desde una perspectiva que pretende destacar los efectos que el entorno físico y social tienen en la persona, y cómo se reflejan en su bienestar. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: El Listado de Indicadores de Bienestar (LIBE) se creó siguiendo un proceso inductivo iterativo con profesionales de distintas disciplinas, hasta llegar a la versión validada. Se validó en dos estudios sucesivos con una muestra de 79 personas con demencia. Se realizaron análisis de capacidad de discriminación de los indicadores que componen la escala, consistencia interna, fiabilidad interjueces, y validez convergente y discriminante. RESULTADOS: Se obtuvo una consistencia interna α de Cronbach de 0,81. Respecto a la fiabilidad interjueces, el CCI hallado entre los 3 evaluadores fue significativo para todos los indicadores con puntuaciones entre 0,59 y 1,00. Se estudió la validez convergente comparando las puntuaciones en cada indicador de LIBE con las puntuaciones en cada ítem de QUALID, y se encontraron asociaciones significativas entre la categoría de respuesta en ciertos ítems de QUALID y la categoría de respuesta en ciertos indicadores de LIBE. Para la validez discriminante se compararon las puntuaciones obtenidas en cada indicador de LIBE con las puntuaciones en cada ítem de PAINAD-Sp, y no se encontró ninguna asociación significativa. CONCLUSIÓN: LIBE ofrece una medida observacional de conductas consideradas indicadores de bienestar en personas con demencia que viven en centros residenciales. Es un instrumento válido y fiable, que ofrece una perspectiva diferente de medida de un constructo poco explorado en las poblaciones con demencia. Es un instrumento fácil de aplicar, con distintos usos (clínicos, de intervención, de investigación), y aplicable por profesionales de distintas disciplinas

INTRODUCTION: Within the context of Person Centred Care, the present paper shows the creation and validation process of an observational tool for the assessment of the wellbeing of people with dementia, from a perspective that seeks to highlight the effects that the physical and social environment have on the person, and how these are reflected in the well-being. METHODS: The List of Wellbeing Indicators (LIBE) was created following an inductive iterative process with professionals from different disciplines, until the validated version was reached. It was then validated in two successive studies with a sample of 79 people with dementia. Discrimination capacity of the scale indicators, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and convergent and divergent validity were determined. RESULTS: An internal consistency of Cronbach́s alpha 0.81 was obtained. The inter-rater reliability, analysing intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) within the 3 raters, was significant for all the indicators in the tool, with scores between 0.59-1.00. Convergent validity was studied comparing scores in each LIBE indicator with scores in each QUALID indicator, and some significant associations were found between response categories in both tools. For the discriminant validity, the scores obtained in each LIBE indicator were compared with the scores in each PAINAD-Sp item, and no significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: LIBE offers an observational measure of behaviours that can be considered well-being indicators in people with dementia living in residential care. LIBE is a valid and reliable tool that offers a different perspective of measuring a construct that has been infrequently explored in dementia population. Is also an easy to apply tool, with different uses (clinical, intervention, research), and applicable for professionals of several disciplines

[Development and validation of an observational tool for the assessment of well-being in people with dementia from the perspective of Person Centred Care: List of Well-being Indicators of Wellbeing]. / Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento observacional para la evaluación del bienestar en personas con demencia desde la perspectiva de la atención centrada en la persona: Listado de Indicadores de Bienestar.

INTRODUCTION: Within the context of Person Centred Care, the present paper shows the creation and validation process of an observational tool for the assessment of the wellbeing of people with dementia, from a perspective that seeks to highlight the effects that the physical and social environment have on the person, and how these are reflected in the well-being. METHODS: The List of Wellbeing Indicators (LIBE) was created following an inductive iterative process with professionals from different disciplines, until the validated version was reached. It was then validated in two successive studies with a sample of 79 people with dementia. Discrimination capacity of the scale indicators, internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and convergent and divergent validity were determined. RESULTS: An internal consistency of Cronbach́s alpha 0.81 was obtained. The inter-rater reliability, analysing intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) within the 3 raters, was significant for all the indicators in the tool, with scores between 0.59-1.00. Convergent validity was studied comparing scores in each LIBE indicator with scores in each QUALID indicator, and some significant associations were found between response categories in both tools. For the discriminant validity, the scores obtained in each LIBE indicator were compared with the scores in each PAINAD-Sp item, and no significant associations were found. CONCLUSION: LIBE offers an observational measure of behaviours that can be considered well-being indicators in people with dementia living in residential care. LIBE is a valid and reliable tool that offers a different perspective of measuring a construct that has been infrequently explored in dementia population. Is also an easy to apply tool, with different uses (clinical, intervention, research), and applicable for professionals of several disciplines.

Efectos de la visualización de contenidos personalizados a través de la realidad virtual, en el bienestar y la implicación de personas con demencia avanzada. Un estudio cualitativo de 4 casos / Effects of visualisation of personalised contents, presented using virtual reality, on the well-being and engagement of people with advanced dementia. A qualitative study of 4 cases

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El valor de «sentirse como en casa» en los centros residenciales: lo pequeño es hermoso / The value of «feeling at home» in nursing homes. Small is beautiful

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Estudio de la implicación en un grupo de personas con demencia con atención tradicional y un grupo con atención centrada en la persona / Study of engagement in a group of people with dementia in traditional care settings and a group with person centred care

Introducción. Las personas con demencia en contexto residencial presentan un grado elevado de apatía y desconexión con el entorno. La ausencia de estimulación y la baja frecuencia de actividades personalizadas, características en los centros residenciales, podrían ser elementos contextuales que favorecen estos comportamientos. El modelo de atención centrado en la persona (MACP) promueve la participación de las personas en actividades cotidianas acorde con sus recursos, sus intereses y necesidades. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la frecuencia de conductas de implicación y desimplicación en las actividades cotidianas en 2 grupos de usuarios residentes en unidades psicogeriátricas, asistido uno de ellos según el modelo tradicional y el otro según el MACP. Metodología. Participaron en el estudio 28 sujetos con deterioro cognitivo y residentes en unidades psicogeriátricas: 14 usuarios de una unidad tradicional (grupo control) y 14 en una unidad en la que se incorporaron intervenciones relativas al MACP (grupo experimental). Los grupos fueron equivalentes en deterioro cognitivo, capacidades funcionales y años de ingreso. Se utilizó el Registro de Implicación/Engagement para observar en ambos grupos la frecuencia de 12 categorías de comportamiento de implicación en 2 períodos diferenciados: antes de las intervenciones asociadas al MACP y 18 meses después de haber comenzado las mismas. Resultados. Ambos grupos vieron incrementada la frecuencia de sus conductas de implicación en el período post; sin embargo, el grupo experimental disminuyó los comportamientos de desimplicación, mientras que el grupo control los aumentó. Conclusiones. Acorde con los datos, intervenciones asociadas al MACP podrían minimizar los comportamientos de desconexión con el entorno que suceden en el contexto residencial vinculando a las personas al contexto y facilitando la participación e implicación en las actividades de la vida diaria (AU)

Introduction. People with dementia in the residential care setting have a high level of apathy and disengagement. The lack of stimulation and customised activities, a common aspect in residential centres, could be contextual elements that promote these behaviours. The person-centred care model (PCCM) promotes the participation of people in their daily activities in relation to their resources, interests, and needs. The aim of this study is to compare the frequency of engagement behaviours in the daily activities in two groups of users residing in Psychogeriatric Units, one receiving a traditional care model and the other assisted under PCCM. Methodology. The study involved 28 patients with cognitive impairment in Psychogeriatric Units, 14 of whom were in a traditional unit (control group), and 14 were in a unit where PCCM (experimental group) was implemented. Groups were equivalent in cognitive impairment, functional capabilities, and years in the long-term care institution. The Registering Engagement Instrument (REI) was used to observe the frequency of 12 categories of engagement behaviour in two distinct periods in both groups: before the interventions associated with PCCM, and 18 months after starting them. Results. Both groups increased the frequency of their engagement behaviours in the post-evaluation, but the experimental group decreased their disengagement behaviours while the control group increased them. Conclusions. According to the data, PCCM interventions could reduce disengagement behaviours in the residential context, and could facilitate the participation and involvement in the activities of daily living (AU)

[Study of engagement in a group of people with dementia in traditional care settings and a group with person centred care]. / Estudio de la implicación en un grupo de personas con demencia con atención tradicional y un grupo con atención centrada en la persona.

INTRODUCTION: People with dementia in the residential care setting have a high level of apathy and disengagement. The lack of stimulation and customised activities, a common aspect in residential centres, could be contextual elements that promote these behaviours. The person-centred care model (PCCM) promotes the participation of people in their daily activities in relation to their resources, interests, and needs. The aim of this study is to compare the frequency of engagement behaviours in the daily activities in two groups of users residing in Psychogeriatric Units, one receiving a traditional care model and the other assisted under PCCM. METHODOLOGY: The study involved 28 patients with cognitive impairment in Psychogeriatric Units, 14 of whom were in a traditional unit (control group), and 14 were in a unit where PCCM (experimental group) was implemented. Groups were equivalent in cognitive impairment, functional capabilities, and years in the long-term care institution. The Registering Engagement Instrument (REI) was used to observe the frequency of 12 categories of engagement behaviour in two distinct periods in both groups: before the interventions associated with PCCM, and 18 months after starting them. RESULTS: Both groups increased the frequency of their engagement behaviours in the post-evaluation, but the experimental group decreased their disengagement behaviours while the control group increased them. CONCLUSIONS: According to the data, PCCM interventions could reduce disengagement behaviours in the residential context, and could facilitate the participation and involvement in the activities of daily living.

Is older adult care mediated by caregivers' cultural stereotypes? The role of competence and warmth attribution.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to examine, from the stereotype content model (SCM) perspective, the role of the competence and warmth stereotypes of older adults held by professional caregivers. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design, ex post facto with observational analyses, was used in this study. The cultural view on competence and warmth was assessed in 100 caregivers working in a set of six residential geriatric care units (three of them organized following a person-centered care approach and the other three providing standard geriatric care). In order to assess caregivers' cultural stereotypical views, the SCM questionnaire was administered. To evaluate the role of caregivers' cultural stereotypes in their professional performance as well as in older adult functioning, two observational scales from the Sistema de Evaluación de Residencias de Ancianos (assessment system for older adults residences)-RS (staff functioning and residents' functioning) were applied. RESULTS: Caregivers' cultural views of older adults (compared to young people) are characterized by low competence and high warmth, replicating the data obtained elsewhere from the SCM. Most importantly, the person-centered units predict better staff performance and better resident functioning than standard units. Moreover, cultural stereotyping of older adult competence moderates the effects of staff performance on resident functioning, in line with the findings of previous research. CONCLUSION: Our results underline the influence of caregivers' cultural stereotypes on the type of care, as well as on their professional behaviors and on older adult functioning. Caregivers' cultural stereotypes could be considered as a central issue in older adult care since they mediate the triangle of care: caregivers/older adults/type of care; therefore, much more attention should be paid to this psychosocial care component.

Efectos del Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona en la calidad de vida de personas con deterioro cognitivo de centros gerontológicos / Effects from the Person Centered-Care Model on quality of life of cognitive impaired persons from gerontological centers

Introducción. El Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona ha suscitado creciente interés para su aplicación en centros gerontológicos. Sin embargo, hay escasas aportaciones sobre su impacto en nuestro contexto. El objetivo del trabajo consiste en establecer las consecuencias que para la calidad de vida de residentes con deterioro cognitivo, tienen las intervenciones asociadas al Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona en el Proyecto «Etxean Ondo». Material y métodos. Se seleccionó a 119 residentes con deterioro cognitivo, 59 en el grupo control y 60 en el grupo experimental. Los sujetos de cada grupo fueron distribuidos según su deterioro cognitivo: leve o grave. Se implantaron cambios en los entornos físico, y organizativo para la promoción de autonomía y bienestar. Se evaluó la calidad de vida, antes de las intervenciones y 6 meses después, utilizándose las escalas Fumat (deterioro cognitivo leve) y Qualid (deterioro cognitivo grave). Se utilizó t de Student para las comparaciones de medias. Resultados. En las comparaciones intergrupo, se identificaron diferencias significativas en la escala Fumat a favor del grupo control con deterioro cognitivo leve. Estas diferencias no se registraron en la evaluación posterior. El grupo experimental con deterioro cognitivo grave mejoró significativamente en la escala Qualid en la evaluación posterior. En las comparaciones intragrupo, se registraron mejoras significativas en la calidad de vida de los sujetos del grupo experimental, tanto con deterioro cognitivo grave como leve. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos avalan la efectividad de las intervenciones e identifican cuestiones metodológicas y conceptuales que deberán considerarse en el análisis de los efectos del Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona (AU)

Introduction. The Model of Person Centered Care has attracted increasing interest for use in gerontology centers. Therefore, the contributions about its impact are scarce in our context. The objective of this paper is to establish the impact that the interventions associated with the Model of Person Centered Care in the «Etxean Ondo» Project have on the quality of life of residents with cognitive impairment. Material and methods. One hundred and ninetten residents with cognitive impairment were selected: 59 in the control group and 60 in the experimental group. Subjects in each group were sorted by cognitive impairment: mild or severe. Changes were implemented in the physical and organizational environments for the promotion of autonomy and wellbeing. Quality of life was assessed before and 6 months after intervention using the Fumat Scales (mild cognitive impairment) and Qualid (severe cognitive impairment). The t-Student test was used for comparison of means. Results. In intergroup comparisons, significant differences in the Fumat Scale for the control group with mild cognitive impairment were initially identified. These differences were not recorded in the post assessment. The experimental group with severe cognitive impairment was significantly improved in the Qualid Scale post assessment. In intragroup comparisons, significant improvements were evident in the quality of life of experimental subjects, both with severe cognitive impairment (Qualid) and mild (Fumat). Conclusions. The findings support the effectiveness of the interventions and identify methodological and conceptual issues that have been considered to analyze the Model of Person Centered Care efects (AU)

[Effects from the Person Centered-Care Model on quality of life of cognitive impaired persons from gerontological centers]. / Efectos del Modelo de Atención Centrado en la Persona en la calidad de vida de personas con deterioro cognitivo de centros gerontológicos.

INTRODUCTION: The Model of Person Centered Care has attracted increasing interest for use in gerontology centers. Therefore, the contributions about its impact are scarce in our context. The objective of this paper is to establish the impact that the interventions associated with the Model of Person Centered Care in the «Etxean Ondo¼ Project have on the quality of life of residents with cognitive impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and ninetten residents with cognitive impairment were selected: 59 in the control group and 60 in the experimental group. Subjects in each group were sorted by cognitive impairment: mild or severe. Changes were implemented in the physical and organizational environments for the promotion of autonomy and wellbeing. Quality of life was assessed before and 6 months after intervention using the Fumat Scales (mild cognitive impairment) and Qualid (severe cognitive impairment). The t-Student test was used for comparison of means. RESULTS: In intergroup comparisons, significant differences in the Fumat Scale for the control group with mild cognitive impairment were initially identified. These differences were not recorded in the post assessment. The experimental group with severe cognitive impairment was significantly improved in the Qualid Scale post assessment. In intragroup comparisons, significant improvements were evident in the quality of life of experimental subjects, both with severe cognitive impairment (Qualid) and mild (Fumat). CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the effectiveness of the interventions and identify methodological and conceptual issues that have been considered to analyze the Model of Person Centered Care efects.

Efectos del entrenamiento en estrategias de regulación emocional en el bienestar de cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer / Effects of training in emotional regulation strategies on the well-being of carers of Alzheimer patients

Introducción. El presente estudio muestra los resultados de una intervención psicoeducativa que pretende dotar de estrategias de regulación de las emociones positivas y negativas con cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer. Material y métodos. En este estudio participaron 52 cuidadores informales de enfermos de Alzheimer. Estos cuidadores se distribuyeron en 2 grupos: grupo experimental (n=20) y grupo control (n=32). Todos fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención a través de diferentes instrumentos de medida de los estresores, moduladores y consecuencias del cuidado. Resultados. En el contraste intergrupos, el grupo experimental, en comparación con el grupo control, obtuvo puntuaciones más altas en afecto positivo, bienestar subjetivo, regulación emocional y satisfacción con el cuidado, y valores inferiores en estrés percibido y afecto negativo. En el contraste intragrupos, los sujetos del grupo experimental registraron, inmediatamente tras la intervención, descensos significativos en las puntuaciones relativas a los pensamientos disfuncionales y la atención emocional. En los sujetos del grupo control se registra una mayor puntuación en apoyo psicosocial y un descenso en la satisfacción con el cuidado. Conclusiones. El programa desarrollado ha contribuido a que sus participantes experimenten un mayor bienestar emocional, atiendan a sus emociones de modo más adecuado y sufran menos pensamientos disfuncionales en relación con el cuidado. Estudios posteriores deberán confirmar establecer la estabilidad de los cambios registrados, dado el carácter progresivo del aprendizaje de las habilidades entrenadas y las cambiantes necesidades asociadas al cuidado(AU)

Introduction. The present research shows the results of a psychoeducational intervention programme centered on the regulation of the emotion among Alzheimer patients’ caregivers. Materials and methods. 52 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients participated. These caregivers were distributed into two groups: the experimental group (n=20) and the control group (n=32). All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention programme through the application of different measurement tools measuring variables related to the care giving process; stressors, modulation variables and care giving consequences. Results. In the inter group contrast, the experimental group, when compared with the control condition, obtained higher scores in positive affect, subjective well-being, regulation of emotions, and satisfaction with caregiving. However, the experimental group recorded lower values in perceived stress and negative affect. With reference to the intragroup contrast, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysfunctional thoughts and emotional attention. The control group registered higher levels of psychosocial support and lower satisfaction with caregiving. Conclusions. The training programme, that we both developed and conducted, has contributed to a greater feeling of emotional well-being amongst the its participant caregivers, who now take more adequate care of their emotions and suffer fewer dysfunctional thoughts in relation to caregiving. In future studies, the stability of the results presented in this investigation should be established due to the progressive character of the skills learned during the programme, and the changing needs associated with the caregiving process(AU)

[Effects of training in emotional regulation strategies on the well-being of carers of Alzheimer patients]. / Efectos del entrenamiento en estrategias de regulación emocional en el bienestar de cuidadores de enfermos de Alzheimer.

INTRODUCTION: The present research shows the results of a psychoeducational intervention programme centered on the regulation of the emotion among Alzheimer patients' caregivers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 52 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients participated. These caregivers were distributed into two groups: the experimental group (n = 20) and the control group (n = 32). All the participants were evaluated before and after the intervention programme through the application of different measurement tools measuring variables related to the care giving process; stressors, modulation variables and care giving consequences. RESULTS: In the inter group contrast, the experimental group, when compared with the control condition, obtained higher scores in positive affect, subjective well-being, regulation of emotions, and satisfaction with caregiving. However, the experimental group recorded lower values in perceived stress and negative affect. With reference to the intragroup contrast, the experimental group showed a significant decrease in dysfunctional thoughts and emotional attention. The control group registered higher levels of psychosocial support and lower satisfaction with caregiving. CONCLUSIONS: The training programme, that we both developed and conducted, has contributed to a greater feeling of emotional well-being amongst the its participant caregivers, who now take more adequate care of their emotions and suffer fewer dysfunctional thoughts in relation to caregiving. In future studies, the stability of the results presented in this investigation should be established due to the progressive character of the skills learned during the programme, and the changing needs associated with the caregiving process.

Funcionamiento psicológico y envejecimiento. Aprendizajes a partir de estudios longitudinales / Psychological functioning and aging. Learning from longitudinal studies

Los estudios longitudinales de base poblacional constituyen herramientas de gran valor para investigar las características del proceso natural de envejecimiento en diferentes entornos geográficos y socioculturales. Por otro lado, este tipo de proyectos consideran, analizan y estudian muy diversos aspectos implicados en el envejecimiento, proporcionando oportunidades singulares para observar las relaciones e interacciones entre todos ellos. En esta revisión se analizan los hallazgos más recientes en variables de índole psicológica. En ella se pone de manifiesto el creciente interés en los diseños longitudinales hacia este tipo de variables, registrándose una progresiva complejidad tanto en las dimensiones consideradas como en el análisis de las vinculaciones con otras áreas en las que se producen cambios asociados al proceso de envejecimiento. Se identifican, además, algunas áreas de mejora, relativas tanto a aspectos conceptuales como metodológicos, en relación con el futuro análisis de las variables psicológicas(AU)

Population-based longitudinal studies are very useful tools for investigating the characteristics of the aging process among different geographical and socio-cultural contexts. On the other hand, these kind of projects look at a wide range of key issues of aging. In this review, most recent psychological findings in this field are analysed. The increasing interest in longitudinal studies for psychological variables is shown, as well as explicit links with other areas of study. Finally, main areas of improvement are identified according to future analysis of psychological variables, regarding both conceptual and methodological issues(AU)

[Psychological functioning and aging. Learning from longitudinal studies]. / Funcionamiento psicológico y envejecimiento. Aprendizajes a partir de estudios longitudinales.

Population-based longitudinal studies are very useful tools for investigating the characteristics of the aging process among different geographical and socio-cultural contexts. On the other hand, these kind of projects look at a wide range of key issues of aging. In this review, most recent psychological findings in this field are analysed. The increasing interest in longitudinal studies for psychological variables is shown, as well as explicit links with other areas of study. Finally, main areas of improvement are identified according to future analysis of psychological variables, regarding both conceptual and methodological issues.

Repercusiones de la deficiencia visual de personas mayores en cuidadores familiares / Effects of vision impairment in the elderly on family caregivers

Introducción: el objetivo es identificar las preocupaciones que para los familiares cuidadores se derivan de la deficiencia visual de personas mayores y analizar las repercusiones de éstas en la calidad de vida de los familiares. Material y método: participaron 18 familiares (edad media, 67 años) de personas mayores deficientes visuales (edad promedio, 77 años). Las variables consideradas fueron preocupaciones de los familiares, estrategias para afrontarlas, calidad de vida y capacidades funcionales de las personas mayores percibidas por los familiares. Se efectuaron análisis categóricos simples, de correlación, de comparación entre grupos de sujetos según el grado de preocupación y la calidad de vida. Resultados: las cuestiones que más intensamente preocupan a los familiares son la seguridad y los desplazamientos. La estrategia de afrontamiento activo es la más utilizada para reaccionar ante las preocupaciones. Se ha registrado correlaciones significativas entre la intensidad de las preocupaciones, la necesidad de ayuda para las actividades de la vida diaria, peor calidad de vida y un estilo de afrontamiento activo. Asimismo, los 3 grupos con niveles alto, medio y bajo de preocupaciones obtienen diferencias significativas entre ellos en las subescalas de dolor y forma física de la escala de calidad de vida, así como en la utilización de la estrategia de afrontamiento activo. Los grupos con niveles alto, medio y bajo de calidad de vida se diferencian significativamente entre ellos en el número e intensidad de las preocupaciones. Conclusiones: la deficiencia visual de las personas mayores conlleva que sus familiares se preocupen por sus desplazamientos y su seguridad respondiendo de manera activa ante ello, si bien no parece que sea eficaz el empleo del afrontamiento activo, ya que se relaciona con una peor calidad de vida. Además, los familiares que más se preocupan presentan indicadores de una peor calidad de vida que aquellos que lo hacen menos. En conjunto se pone de manifiesto la posible utilidad de intervenciones dirigidas a conocer las limitaciones derivadas de la deficiencia visual y a fomentar estrategias adecuadas de compensación (AU)

Introduction: the objective is to identify concerns in family caregivers caused by vision impairment in elderly relatives and to analyze the effects of these impairments on quality of life in their relatives. Material and method: eighteen relatives (mean age, 67 years) of elderly individuals with vision impairment (mean age, 77 years) participated in this study. The variables analyzed were family concerns, strategies for coping with these concerns, quality of life, and functional ability of the elderly relatives perceived by family members. A simple category analysis and correlations of comparisons among groups of subjects according to their level of concern and quality of life were performed. Results: the issues causing greatest concern among relatives were safety and outings. Active coping strategies were most commonly used to respond to concerns. Significant correlations were found between the intensity of concern, the need for help with activities of daily living, lower quality of life, and an active coping strategy. Significant differences among the three groups with high, medium and low levels of concern were found in the subscales of pain and physical status in the quality of life scale, as well as in the use of an active coping strategy. Significant differences were also found in the number and intensity of concerns among these three groups. Conclusions: vision impairment in the elderly leads relatives to worry about their safety and outings. Relatives employ active coping strategies in response to these concerns, although these strategies do not seem to be effective since they are associated with lower quality of life. Moreover, the relatives with the highest level of concern show lower quality of life than those with lower levels of concern. Overall, the results of this study reveal the possible utility of interventions aimed at identifying the limitations imposed by vision impairment and at encouraging appropriate compensating strategies (AU)