Earth angels and parking spots: qualitative perspectives on healthy aging with spinal cord injury

Purpose People aging with spinal cord injury (SCI) can experience the premature onset of comorbid conditions, as well as the development and progression of secondary health conditions. The aim of this study was to understand the subjective experiences of persons aging with SCI in relation to their surrounding social and physical environments, including the impact of barriers and facilitators. Material/Methods:Eleven individuals who had an SCI for more than ten years and were 45 years or older participated in a semi-structured phone interview about their experiences with healthy aging, social participation, social supports, and community barriers. Results Four main themes emerged in the qualitative data that captured the subjective experience of aging with SCI. These were: (1) Maintaining Physical Independence; (2) Importance of Resources and Special Equipment; (3) Planning Ahead; and (4) Finding Ways to Adapt. Conclusions The findings from this study highlight the importance of looking beyond individual factors to consider the social and environmental factors that support continued independence and participation in society as people living with long term SCI experience their aging process. Qualitative research that delves further into the dynamics behind this process is needed to fully anticipate the needs of this growing population.

Automated summary

This study aims to understand the subjective experiences of individuals aging with SCI in relation to their social and physical environments. Four main themes emerged from the qualitative data, including maintaining physical independence, the importance of resources and special equipment, planning ahead, and finding ways to adapt. The findings highlight the importance of considering social and environmental factors in supporting independence and participation for people aging with long-term SCI.