Understanding the Changing Health Care Needs of Individuals Aging With Spinal Cord Injury

Understanding the Changing Health Care Needs of Individuals Aging With Spinal Cord Injury

Individuals over age 65 are projected to account for over 20% of the general population by 2030. This trend is reflected in an increase in the age of individuals sustaining traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Based on current evidence, there is concern regarding the needs of older individuals aging...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation Vol. 25; no. 1; pp. 62 - 73
Main Authors: Kern, Stephen B, Hunter, Louis N, Sims, Ashley C, Berzins, Davis, Riekena, Helena, Andrews, Marisa L, Alderfer, Jillian K, Nelson, Kelly, Kushner, Reva
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Allen Press Inc 01-01-2019
Thomas Land Publishers, Inc
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living
Age
Age Factors
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Aging
Caregivers
Data analysis
Data collection
Delivery of Health Care
Disabled Persons - rehabilitation
Environmental Health
Female
Health education
Health Literacy
Health services
Health Status
Humans
Interviews
Male
Middle Aged
Needs Assessment
Older people
Paraplegia - rehabilitation
Participation
Physical therapy
Problem solving
Quadriplegia - rehabilitation
Qualitative Research
Quality of Life
Rehabilitation
Social Support
Spinal cord injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries - rehabilitation
health status
traumatic spinal cord injury
health literacy
outcomes
older adults
aging
environmental supports and barriers
health care
interviews
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Summary:Individuals over age 65 are projected to account for over 20% of the general population by 2030. This trend is reflected in an increase in the age of individuals sustaining traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Based on current evidence, there is concern regarding the needs of older individuals aging with SCI and current health care services. Research is limited regarding factors that contribute to health status and treatment outcomes associated with aging 5 or more years post SCI. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore changing health care needs of individuals aging with SCI and their caregivers and to identify the environmental supports and barriers to achieving long-term health and treatment outcomes. This was a phenomenological study utilizing semi-structured interviews. Inclusion criteria were age greater than 60 years old and 5 years post SCI. Between October 2014 and January 2016, 41 individuals with SCI and eight caregivers participated in the semi-structured interviews. Emergent themes and quotations were noted and analyzed using established methods. Triangulation was used to establish rigor and trustworthiness. Data analysis of the interviews revealed four themes (health literacy, health services, changes with age, and environment) and 10 subthemes. Rehabilitation programs should consider the health literacy of older individuals with SCI and their caregivers. Similarly, these programs should be designed to allow them to identify and utilize resources in solving barriers to everyday participation. Further investigation is required to examine the macro-environmental influences (systems and policies) on the changing health care needs of individuals aging with SCI.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ISSN:1082-0744
1945-5763
DOI:10.1310/sci2501-62