Healthy Aging from the Perspectives of 683 Older People with Multiple Sclerosis
Joint Authors
Wallack, Elizabeth M.
Ploughman, Michelle
Wiseman, Hailey D.
Source
Multiple Sclerosis International
Issue
Vol. 2016, Issue 2016 (31 Dec. 2016), pp.1-10, 10 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2016-07-18
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
10
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Purpose.
The aim of this study was to determine what factors most greatly contributed to healthy aging with multiple sclerosis (MS) from the perspective of a large sample of older people with MS.
Design and Methods.
Participants ( n = 683 ; >55 years of age with symptoms >20 years) provided answers to an open-ended question regarding healthy aging and were categorized into three groups, 55–64 (young), 65–74 (middle), and 75 and over (oldest old).
Sociodemographic actors were compared using ANOVA.
Two independent raters used the framework method of analyzing qualitative data.
Results.
Participants averaged 64 years of age ( ± 6.2 ) with MS symptoms for 32.9 years ( ± 9.4 ) .
531 participants were female (78%).
The majority of participants lived in their own home ( n = 657 ) with a spouse or partner ( n = 483 ).
Participants described seven themes: social connections, attitude and outlook on life, lifestyle choices and habits, health care system, spirituality and religion, independence, and finances.
These themes had two shared characteristics, multidimensionality and interdependence.
Implications.
Learning from the experiences of older adults with MS can help young and middle aged people with MS plan to age in their own homes and communities.
Our data suggests that older people with MS prioritize factors that are modifiable through targeted self-management strategies.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Wallack, Elizabeth M.& Wiseman, Hailey D.& Ploughman, Michelle. 2016. Healthy Aging from the Perspectives of 683 Older People with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis International،Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1112947
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Wallack, Elizabeth M.…[et al.]. Healthy Aging from the Perspectives of 683 Older People with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis International No. 2016 (2016), pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1112947
American Medical Association (AMA)
Wallack, Elizabeth M.& Wiseman, Hailey D.& Ploughman, Michelle. Healthy Aging from the Perspectives of 683 Older People with Multiple Sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis International. 2016. Vol. 2016, no. 2016, pp.1-10.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1112947
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1112947