Adapting an Evidence-Based Wellness Program for Older Adults with Long-Term Physical Disabilities

Description

Recent efforts have focused on enhancing wellness in community living seniors using evidence-based health promotion programs. However, very few of these programs have been tested in individuals aging with long-term physical disabilities (LTPD), such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome or spinal cord injury. This presentation describes a new academic-community partnership to adapt and test a NCOA endorsed intervention (EnhanceWellness) in people aging with LTPD.

Objectives

1. By the end of this presentation attendees will be able to describe EnhanceWellness, an NCOA endorsed community-based health promotion program for older adults.
2. By the end of this presentation attendees will understand the prevalence and impact of long-term physical disabilities, including spinal cord injury and muscular dystrophy, in older adults.
3. By the end of this presentation attendees will be able to describe necessary adaptations to make interventions originally designed for older adults applicable for those aging with long-term physical disability.
4. By the end of this presentation attendees will have an appreciation for the challenges and opportunities present in integration of aging and physical disability service networks.

Outcomes

Pilot data from our first participants (n=8), which will include standardized scales measuring quality of life, emotional well-being, physical and social health and overall satisfaction with the program. Discussion of the adaptation process, including lessons learned, identification of challenges, and ways to remediate the inter-institutional and cultural barriers that exist between disability researchers and community agencies providing services to older adult