Quality of Life While Aging with a Disability

Abstract

Being able to develop or maintain a positive, or high, quality of life (QOL) after a disability is one of the most important outcomes from rehabilitation. Negative, or low, QOL may also occur, especially when people return to the community. Furthermore, as people with disability age, many experience changes in their health and functioning that challenge their hard-won QOL. This article describes research on QOL among persons who are aging with a disability. Both positive and negative dimensions of QOL were studied. Being able to maintain community activities was significantly related to QOL. Current age and age at onset of disability played a nonsignificant role on negative QOL but were significantly related to positive QOL. Assistive technology can play a significant role in helping individuals who are aging with a disability to maintain valued activities and experiences.

Key Words:

• Quality of life
• Disability
• Aging
• Community activities