Context: Extant literature highlights how many individuals display resilient trajectories following spinal cord injury (SCI), exhibiting positive psychological adjustment. In the absence of a universal definition, it is agreed that resilience is demonstrated when individuals have better-than-projected outcomes when considering the level of adversity experienced. Previous research has focused on traits connected to vulnerability and maladaptive trajectories following SCI rather than the psychosocial factors that contribute to resilience, which can be cultivated over the lifetime. Individuals living with SCI are now aging and have lifespans paralleling that of the broader older adult population. Aging with SCI can result in a sequela of concomitant pathophysiologic conditions and social challenges, which can undermine resiliency. Objective: The purpose of the current commentary is to explore some of the psychosocial factors contributing to resilience within the context of aging with SCI. Methods: Commentary Findings: Psychosocial factors contributing to resilience within the SCI population include self-efficacy, social supports, and spirituality. However, these factors are complex and their interconnectedness is not well-understood at the intersection of SCI and aging. Conclusion: Understanding the complexities of the contributing psychosocial factors can allow for the development of targeted and innovative multi-pronged rehabilitative strategies that can support resilient trajectories across the lifetime. Future research should move towards the inclusion of additional psychosocial factors, adopting longitudinal research designs, and prudently selecting methods.

This paper compares and contrasts the characteristics of three models of housing and services for older adults, cohousing, Naturally Occurring Retirement-Community Supportive Services Program (NORC-SSP), and Villages, and links them to the domains of the age-friendly communities (AFC) framework, specifically a) services, supports, and information, b) respect, inclusion, and diversity, c) social and civic participation, and d) affordability. We discuss key barriers and challenges of these models with respect to the AFC domains, as well as implementation and sustainability. Consideration of these models in age-friendly housing policy and practice could help expand and diversify the choices in the housing and services continuum. This aligns with AFC’s emphasis on the need for housing and services responsive to older adults’ diverse health and social needs, provide options that balance autonomy, choice, and support, and emphasize older adults’ participation and involvement in tailoring these options.

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Objective The objective of this scoping review was to identify the modifiable factors that impact the health and quality of life (QOL) of community-dwelling people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Empirical journal articles were identified using three academic databases: CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE with Full Text, and PsycINFO. Full-text journal articles included studies of participants who were community-dwelling with traumatic or nontraumatic SCI and were over the age of 18 years without cognitive impairment; published between 2000 and 2021; focused on modifiable factors impacting health and QOL; and conducted in Australia, Europe, or North America. A data table was used to extract article information including authors, year of publication, country, sample, design and methods, purpose/objectives, and main findings. Qualitative data analysis software was used to categorize major findings inductively through content analysis. Results Thirty-one peer-reviewed articles consisting of qualitive, quantitative, and mixed-methods study design were included. This scoping review revealed modifiable factors that impact the health and QOL of community-dwelling people with SCI: sociostructural factors (social attitudes, health care access, information access, and funding and policies) and environmental factors (built environment, housing, transportation, assistive technology, and natural environment). Conclusion Future research should examine the influence of the modifiable factors on health and QOL using qualitative inquiry, adopting a community-based participatory research approach, and considering the implications of individual characteristics and resources.

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