Long-term health and mobility of older adults following traumatic injury: a qualitative longitudinal study

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore older adults’ experiences of and approaches to managing their long-term health and mobility after traumatic injury.

Methods

A longitudinal qualitative study was undertaken with older adults following traumatic injury in Victoria, Australia. Fifteen participants (≥65 years) were interviewed at three years post-injury (n = 15), and re-interviewed at four (n = 14) and five years (n = 12) post-injury. Using a framework approach, a longitudinal thematic analysis was performed.

Results

Older age at the time of injury was identified by participants as a key factor influencing their recovery. Many participants reported actively attempting to regain their strength and fitness in the first five years following injury. However, their age, injury impacts, other health conditions, and weight gain made it difficult to achieve recovery goals. Many older adults reported a decline in their physical function over time. While these experiences and persistent disability constrained or changed the quality of social relationships, community participation, and independence, several participants described adapting to their functional limitations, and managing their secondary conditions over time.

Conclusion

In our cohort, the intertwined combination of ageing, injury, and comorbid conditions negatively affected health and mobility, reinforcing the need for preventative strategies.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Older adults recovering from traumatic injury may benefit from specialised care pathways that offer long-term and tailored therapies, with programs and services specific to their needs and goals.

• An integrated service approach by injury insurers, health care, primary care, disability, and aged care could more clearly identify and effectively address the individual needs and goals of older adults with complex conditions.

• Health and social services that work with people with injuries to develop personalised coping strategies can reduce anxiety related to uncertainty about the future, promote well-being, and support participation in valued activities.

Keywords:

• Older adult
• traumatic injury
• recovery
• disability
• ageing
• qualitative

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the investigators, Steering Committees, and the participating hospitals of the VSTR and to express our appreciation to the participants. We would also like to thank Mandy Brown and Dan Myles for their assistance with the interviews.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The RESTORE project was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia [GNT1061786]. The Victorian State Trauma Registry is funded by the Transport Accident Commission and the Department of Health and Human Services. BG was supported by a Future Fellowship from the Australian Research Council and PC by a NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship.