Answered Questions is a column for the disability community that fills an information need based on questions from our patrons. This month’s question is “I am a 50+ year old person with a disability, and I am worried about managing my health as I get older. I have an appointment with my doctor in a couple of weeks for my yearly physical. In the meantime, I would like to learn more about research, information, and resources for managing my health and staying healthy as I age with a disability. Where should I start?”
This edition of Answered Questions includes current NIDILRR-funded research projects on aging with disabilities; research publications on low back pain and activity, a community-based health intervention, and aging with visual impairments; a NARIC Research In Focus article about the connection between staying healthy and connecting with neighbors; and ready to use resources from grantees.
NIDILRR-Funded Projects:
The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Aging Among Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses conducts a coordinated program of research and knowledge translation activities on enhancing later life for adults with serious mental illnesses. The Center shares products designed for a range of stakeholders, including manualized interventions and curricula; provider and support training programs; webinars and social media groups; and more. See the Resources Section below to learn more about the evidence-based resources and training produced by this Center.
The RRTC on Health and Function of People Aging with Physical Disability conducts integrated research, training, and knowledge translation activities to improve the health and function of adults aging with physical disabilities such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis , stroke, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. This project is developing a user-centered intervention package to prepare individuals living with physical disability to transition to older adulthood, for successful aging, and to prevent or delay aging-related increases in secondary, chronic, and co-occurring health conditions.
NIDILRR-Funded Research Articles from the NARIC Collection:
The impact of low back pain and vigorous activity on mental and physical health outcomes in older adults with arthritis discusses a study that investigated the relationships between low back pain (LBP) and four physical and mental health conditions in older adults with arthritis. Findings suggest that the presence of LBP in older adults with arthritis increases the risk of insomnia, psychological distress, mobility limitations, and poorer self-rated health. The authors suggest that providers treating patients with arthritis and LBP conduct routine assessments of mental and physical health to ensure the LBP is being adequately addressed.
Everyday challenges for individuals aging with vision impairment: Technology implications discusses a study that identified the challenges experienced by adults aging with long-term visual disabilities when performing instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and the factors that contribute to those challenges. Participants discussed a wide range of IADL challenges that are most difficult for them personally, including exercise to help manage their health. The study found that contextual examples of IADL challenges among individuals aging with visual disabilities highlight opportunities for technology design and innovation to support participation in everyday activities, including those to manage one’s health.
Nutrition and exercise for wellness and recovery: A randomized controlled trial of a community-based health intervention looks at a study that examined the efficacy of the Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery (NEW-R) intervention for improving competency and behaviors related to diet, physical activity, and weight management among participants with psychiatric disabilities. Results showed the intervention group had statistically significant improvements, compared to a control group, in perceived competence for exercise and healthy eating and other areas. The intervention group also lost significantly more weight than the control group. The study found that NEW-R offers promise as an intervention that can initiate the change to behaviors and boost perceived competence in a healthy lifestyle.
NARIC’s Research In Focus:
Staying Healthy and Connecting with Neighbors May Help People with Mobility Disabilities Stay Involved in Their Communities discusses a two-part study about which types of community activities people with mobility disabilities consider important and how their health and function, neighborhood supports, and self-efficacy affect their community participation. The study found that there was a strong correlation between health and function and community participation. The authors noted that participation in work, socialization, leisure, and volunteerism are important goals for people with mobility disabilities. The authors suggest that rehabilitation providers can help people with mobility disabilities participate in their communities by helping them manage mental and physical symptoms.
Information Resources and Tools:
- The project Building Capacity to Improve Participation for People Aging with Long-Term Disability Through Evidence-Based Strategies published Three-year study of health and participation for people aging with disabilities: Project summary (PDF) about findings from its study of the health and social participation of adults aging with physical disabilities. In comparison with the general population, participants had higher fall rates; more pain, fatigue, and depression; lower ability to participate in social roles and activities; and less satisfaction with their participation in social roles and activities. The results also showed that people aging with physical disabilities who exercised reported fewer secondary conditions and greater social participation.
- The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) publishes evidence-based information resources for people with spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and burn injuries, including:
- Aging with SCI
- Menopause and TBI
- Cardio After Burn Injury
- In addition, Delirium After Burn Injury may help in understanding the difference between delirium and what may be symptoms of dementia.
- The RRTC on Aging Among Adults with Serious Mental Illnesses produces a variety of resources related to Supporting Individuals to Live as Vibrant Elders in Recovery (SILVER), including issue briefs, a blog with timely announcements and new and original content, SILVER Ask Me Anything webinars, Making Sense of SILVER Research webinars, and more. The Center also identifies trainings for clinicians and other healthcare providers to learn how to support older adults with psychiatric disabilities as they age: SILVER Library of Online Training for Providers
- The RRTC on Integrated Health Care and Self-Directed Recovery offers health, self-determination, and recovery tools which can be used by individuals or organizations, including:
- The University of Washington RRTC on Promoting Healthy Aging for Individuals with Long-Term Physical Disabilities (2013-2019) published many factsheets on a wide array of topics like healthy eating, reducing stress, and getting the most out of your healthcare visits.
More Information:
For further research from the NIDILRR Community and Elsewhere, please explore NARIC’s collections of articles, resources, and tools in the REHABDATA database:
You may also want to explore research literature indexed in PubMed, PEDro, or OT Seeker. We suggest contacting NARIC’s information specialists for further information and assistance.
About Answered Questions: Each month, we select a topic that fills the largest need based on patron information requests, as well as common searches on our blog and website.