Health service experiences to address mobility decline in ambulant adults ageing with cerebral palsy

† This manuscript was accepted under the Editorship of Susan Balandin.

Abstract

Background Adults ageing with a disability need lifelong access to health services to meet their changing needs. This study aimed to explore in depth the experience and impact of health service access to address mobility change in adults ageing with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method Semistructured interviews were conducted. Qualitative analysis and identification of themes were undertaken on resultant transcripts.

Results Six community-living adults (35–52 years) with CP, at levels II and III of the Gross Motor Function Classification System – Extended & Revised (GMFCS-E&R), participated. All described adult-onset mobility decline and had experienced recent falls. Emergent themes explored the accessibility, nature, and type of health service available, comparisons to paediatric experience, and themes related to frustration, perceived control, and self-advocacy.

Conclusion Adults with CP report variability in the access to and matching of health service provided with self-perceptions of service type and need to address mobility decline. Adults with CP describe frustration regarding their experiences and may seek opportunities to increase self-advocacy regarding available health and support services.

Keywords:

• cerebral palsy
• health services
• adults
• mobility

Acknowledgements

Thanks to research assistant, Stuart Howard, for completing interviews and performing initial transcription. This project was funded by a Monash University Peninsula Campus Grant.

Conflicts of interest: No conflict of interest is declared.

Notes

† This manuscript was accepted under the Editorship of Susan Balandin.