Exploring Quality of Life Through Residents’ Voice in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Study of a Montessori-Based Person-Centered Model of Care

Person-centered care (PCC) is the gold standard for improving the quality of life (QoL) of people living with dementia. The Montessori method represents a practical model for implementing PCC in Nursing Homes (NHs). To date, no study has documented how residents describe their QoL in NHs implementing this method using a self-report approach consistent with PCC principles. This study explores residents' perceptions of their QoL, as well as how they relate it to the care model, using a qualitative self-assessment tool. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-nine residents from two NHs with high levels of Montessori implementation assessed using a validated tool. All interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three interconnected themes emerged. The first examines the components of QoL that matter most to residents. The second explores how the care model influences these determinants. Finally, the third describes residents' self-assessment of QoL shaped by individual factors. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the Montessori method as a comprehensive PCC model from residents' perspectives and deepens knowledge of the extent to which it can shape their QoL. These findings also provide practical and methodological insights for evaluating QoL and guiding care models promoting QoL.