Aging with SCI: International Variations in the Experience of Aging with Spinal Cord Injury

Angela Starkweather PhD, ACNP, CCRN, CNRN

Have you ever wondered how quality of life compares between individuals with SCI in the United States and other nations? Many studies have demonstrated the physical changes associated with aging (Table 1), but few have addressed the psycho-socio-cultural issues that impact the experience of aging with SCI. McColl, Charlifue, Glass, Savic and Meehan (2002) investigated international differences in aging by comparing survey and interview responses among 352 participants from five databases in Canada, the United Kingdom and the US. Some significant differences in the experience of aging were found in the results of this study. Read the rest of this entry »

Book Review: Johnston, Laurance (2006). Alternative medicine and spinal cord injury: Beyond the banks of the mainstream. New York: Demos Medical Publishers. ISBN: 1-932603-50-6. 210 pages, $25.00

Alternative Medicine and Spinal Cord Injury is an exceptional book adapted from an ongoing series of articles previously published in PN/Paraplegia News under the column of “Healing Options.” The author dedicated this compilation to Paralyzed Veterans of America for their support and assistance over the years, which laid the foundation for this book. Read the rest of this entry »

Dawes, T. (2006). Healing from the heart: A practical guide to creating excellent experiences for patients and their families. Bellevue, WA: Interplay Press LLC (www.interplaygroup.com). ISBN: 0-9788247-0-9. 172 pages, $21.97

Editor’s Note: This summary was adapted from a review that appeared on the website of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, www.rehabpro.org.

Patient satisfaction has long been the golden ring of health care—both prized and elusive. Medical groups that successfully nurture loyalty in patients thrive financially and produce better medical outcomes. Those that fail, see patients sue because of the way they’ve been treated, and defect because they don’t think they’re being listened to. Unfortunately, the traditional medical school curriculum hasn’t emphasized empathy skills. And executives admit they’re no more effective at managing patient satisfaction today than they were years ago. Medical staffs, therefore, have had little support in learning to make real connections with their patients. Healing from the Heart: A Practical Guide to Creating Excellent Experiences for Patients and Their Families addresses these issues. Read the rest of this entry »

Selected 2007 SCI Conference Abstracts

1
Risk Factors for Wheelchair-Related Falls in SCI
Audrey L. Nelson, PhD, RN

A multitude of risk factors for falls has been reported, yet many of these risk factors are not applicable to persons who use a wheelchair for mobility. This 3-year prospective cohort study (n = 702) includes qualitative and quantitative data collected at baseline data and monthly follow-up phone interviews over a 12-month period. Data collection includes wheelchair inventory and skills test. Monthly follow-up phone interviews capture number of falls, description of the fall event, changes in modifiable risk factors, and description of injury/treatment.
The incidence rate was 23.1% for wheelchair tips, 27% for falls, and 13% for injurious falls. The majority of falls occurred in the afternoon (48%), without caregiver assistance (89%), in bathroom (21%) or bedroom (33%), in bright light conditions (81%), and involved a manual wheelchair (62%). Of the fallers, 65% received no injuries. Of those injured 11% received head trauma, 40% had a bruise, 23% received a cut, and 4% had a fracture. In the multivariate model, young age, spasticity, involvement in sports, hours spent in a wheelchair, wheelchair skills, and FIMTM total score were significant predictors in predicting falls. The significant predictors for injurious falls were fatigue in the past month and propelling for exercise. None of these predictors are associated with falls in persons who ambulate. This has implications for risk assessment and interventions that target modifiable risk factors.

Objectives
• Identify risk factors for wheelchair falls in SCI population
• Discuss shortcomings of existing fall risk assessment tools applied to persons who use a wheelchair.
• Identify interventions to address modifiable risk factors

Funding Source: Veterans Administration, Health Services Research and Development. Read the rest of this entry »

TRY THIS Issue 4

TRY THIS Issue 12

Images from the 2007 SCI Conference in Orlando, Florida

AASCIN Congratulates Sherri L. LaVela, MPH, MBA

SCI Nursing Editor, Deanna Persaud, left, presents Sherri L. LaVela, MPH, MBA with an award for the Best Article of the Year, 2006. Sherri was also the winner of the 2006 Best Aging Article of the Year!

Sherri L. LaVela, MPH, MBA, of the Midwest Center for Health Services & Policy Research at Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois, won two of SCI Nursing’s most prestigious awards: Best Article of the Year and Best Aging Article of the Year for her insightful study of older individuals with SCI, “Older Adults with Spinal Cord Impairments: Use of Long-Term Care Facilities,” which appeared in Volume 23 Number 2. Read the rest of this entry »

AASCIN News: Hat’s Off! A Tribute to Linda Love

Linda Love




A Tribute to Linda Love
by Mary Ann Reilly, BSN, MS, CRRN

During her 36-year career in SCI nursing, Linda Love has worked as a staff nurse, charge nurse, nurse manager, supervisor, and is retiring after 24 years as a clinical nurse specialist in inpatient, outpatient and home health rehabilitation. Linda was also the President of the AASCIN from 1988-89. During her nursing career Linda authored several articles and participated in numerous research studies.
I had the privilege of interviewing Linda for SCI Nursing and I began by asking Linda what brought her to nursing, specifically spinal cord nursing. Read the rest of this entry »

AASCIN News: Board of Directors Election Results

AASCIN continues to grow through enthusiastic members willing to share their talents and expertise. All members are encouraged to become involved by joining a committee, presenting at the annual educational conference, or by submitting an article for the Journal.

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