Factors influencing healthy aging with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative study

Ploughman, Michelle; Austin, Mark W.; Murdoch, Michelle; Kearney, Anne; Fisk, John D.; Godwin, Marshall; Stefanelli, Mark

doi:10.3109/09638288.2011.585212

Cited by 69 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Elderly individuals with MS have reported their ability to adapt and adjust to MS over many years, and being independent and remaining at home is highly valued. 37 These results are similar to the findings from the Sonya Slifka Longitudinal Multiple Sclerosis Study, in which it was shown that patients over age 65 years often lived alone but viewed their health status positively, thus appearing to adapt over time despite the progression of disease. 17 This sample of patients was slightly different from the overall MS population, as women made up 80% of this study, compared with approximately 66% of the overall MS population.…”

Section: Ms Clinical Characteristicssupporting

confidence: 85%

“…55 As individuals with MS age, they are likely to have the same comorbidities as the general population, including hypertension, heart conditions, diabetes, and even thyroid disease. 37 These comorbidities may also lead to other related illnesses. Ploughman et al 37 reported that older people with MS are very concerned about comorbid conditions and the effects on their lifestyle.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…37 These comorbidities may also lead to other related illnesses. Ploughman et al 37 reported that older people with MS are very concerned about comorbid conditions and the effects on their lifestyle. Aging individuals with MS must have a primary health-care provider who will manage comorbid conditions appropriately.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older People with Multiple Sclerosis

Buhse

Banker²,

Clement³

2014

International Journal of MS Care

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Background: This study was conducted to determine which factors (clinical and demographic) are associated with mental and physical health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) aged 60 years and older. Methods: Data were collected at four MS centers on Long Island, New York, from a total of 211 patients. Three surveys were administered that collected demographic information and included validated questionnaires measuring quality of life (QOL), cognition, depression, and disability. Multivariate linear regression analyses examined the relationship between patient demographics and scores on standardized scales measuring mental and physical HRQOL (Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life–54). Variables included in the regression models were selected on the basis of the Andersen Healthcare Utilization model. This framework encompasses the multiple influences on health status, including predisposing characteristics, enabling resources, need, and health behavior. Results: We found that mental HRQOL was negatively associated with having a high school education or less, risk of neurologic impairment, physical disability, and depression. No variables were positively associated with mental HRQOL. Physical HRQOL was negatively associated with risk of neurologic impairment, physical disability, depression, and the comorbidity of thyroid disease. However, patient employment and, surprisingly, being widowed were positively associated with physical HRQOL. These findings are consistent with those of similar studies among younger patients in which lower HRQOL was associated with increased disability, depression, risk of neurologic impairment, and lower levels of education. Conclusions: The findings that patient employment and being widowed were associated with better physical HRQOL suggest that older patients have the ability to adapt and adjust to the challenges of MS over time. Clinicians should regularly screen for HRQOL in older patients with MS.

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Section: Ms Clinical Characteristicssupporting

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older People with Multiple Sclerosis

Buhse

Banker²,

Clement³

2014

International Journal of MS Care

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“…In order to describe healthy aging from the perspective of the older person with MS, researchers interviewed 18 people who were 55 years of age and older with symptoms for 20 or more years. 54,55 Analysis of key themes emerging from the data showed that older people with MS highly valued four major factors that they felt contributed to health and life satisfaction as they aged 54 : work and social engagement, effective and accessible health care, healthy lifestyle habits, and maintaining independence at home.…”

Section: Research On Aging and Older Adults With Multiple Sclerosismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on clinical experience throughout the continuum of care and findings from qualitative research, [54][55][56] we know that fall circumstances change as one ages with MS and depend on mobility level 55 (Figure 1). During interviews with older people with MS, participants did not identify themselves vention intervention?"…”

Section: Fall Circumstances Vary Depending On Disabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Drawing on Related Knowledge to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Falls-Prevention Research

Ploughman¹,

Deshpande²,

Latimer-Cheung³

et al. 2014

International Journal of MS Care

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There is much to be learned from falls-related research outside the field of multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as from work within the MS field but not specific to falls or falls prevention. This article describes three examples of such bodies of work that have potential to broaden approaches to falls-prevention research: 1) sensory components of postural control among older adults, 2) lessons learned from physical activity promotion among people with spinal cord injury (SCI), and 3) aging among people with MS. Age-related deterioration in visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems or in sensory integration can adversely affect postural control and can contribute to falls in older people. Sensory-specific interventions designed for improving balance in older people could be adapted for preventing falls in individuals with MS. Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Action Canada's strategy for disseminating physical activity promotion interventions for adults with SCI has been successful and widely accepted by community partners. Many of the peer-based interventions developed by SCI Action Canada are potentially relevant and could be adapted to the MS population for both physical activity promotion and falls prevention. Considering that older people with MS constitute a growing proportion of the MS population and over 70% of older people with MS report moderate to extreme balance problems, falls prevention should be one of the key components, particularly for MS management in older or more disabled groups. Overall, given people's different ages, symptoms, strengths, and barriers, a tailored MS falls-prevention intervention that includes peer/caregiver support is critical. Int J MS Care. 2014;16:163-170.

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