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

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The population is aging, leading to an increased number of older adults sustaining traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI).
• Existing healthcare services and research are insufficient to meet the needs of older individuals aging with SCI.
• Limited understanding exists regarding factors influencing health status and treatment outcomes for individuals 5+ years post-SCI.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the evolving healthcare needs of individuals aging with SCI and their caregivers.
• To identify environmental supports and barriers impacting long-term health and treatment outcomes for this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative, phenomenological study design was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 individuals over 60 years old with SCI (5+ years post-injury) and 8 caregivers.
• Data analysis involved identifying emergent themes and subthemes, with triangulation used for rigor.

Main Results:

• Four primary themes emerged: health literacy, health services, changes associated with aging, and environmental factors.
• Ten subthemes were identified, providing detailed insights into the experiences of aging with SCI.
• Key findings underscore the interplay between individual capabilities, available services, and the environment.

Conclusions:

• Rehabilitation programs must integrate health literacy considerations for older adults with SCI and their caregivers.
• Programs should empower individuals to identify and leverage resources to overcome participation barriers.
• Further research is needed on macro-environmental influences, including systems and policies, affecting aging individuals with SCI.