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Factors influencing healthy aging with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study
Michelle Ploughman1, Mark W Austin, Michelle Murdoch
1Eastern Health, Primary Healthcare Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Canada. mploughm@mun.ca
Disability and Rehabilitation
|September 10, 2011
Summary
Healthy aging with multiple sclerosis (MS) involves critical factors like social engagement and independence, supported by financial flexibility and resilience. This understanding informs MS self-management programs to enhance quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Aging with multiple sclerosis (MS) presents unique challenges impacting quality of life.
- Understanding the lived experiences of older adults with MS is crucial for effective self-management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors influencing healthy aging from the perspective of older individuals with MS.
- To inform the development of curricula for multiple sclerosis self-management programs.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 18 participants over 55 years old with MS for over 20 years.
- Explored perspectives on aging, health, and lifestyle habits.
- Thematic analysis of transcribed interview data.
Main Results:
- Identified critical proximal factors for healthy aging: work/social engagement, accessible healthcare, healthy lifestyle, and home independence.
- Found foundational factors including financial flexibility, social support, cognitive/mental health, and resilience.
- Developed a two-tiered model of healthy aging with MS.
Conclusions:
- A two-tiered conceptual model of healthy aging with MS, derived from patient perspectives, can guide self-management program development.
- This model offers a framework for optimizing quality of life in older adults with MS.
- Further research is needed to empirically validate the model's predictive utility for healthy aging with MS.
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