[Experienced quality of life of somatic nursing home patients: a review of measuring instruments].

Research into the quality of life of somatic patients in nursing home is scarce in the Netherlands. In this article, 33 quality of life instruments for somatic nursing home patients are reviewed with respect to content, psychometric characteristics and resident-friendliness. A combination of a health status instrument and a life satisfaction instrument seems most suitable for the assessment of somatic patients in nursing homes: Eight instruments, including six health status instruments (McMaster Health Index Questionnaire, MOS SF-36, Nottingham Health Profile, Sickness Impact Profile, Quality of Well-being scale and COOP/WONCA charts) and two life satisfaction instruments (Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and Life Satisfaction Index Z) are qualified and should be further investigated.