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An Exploratory Study of the Experience of Ageing with Ankylosing Spondylitis: ‘Same Backdrop but a Changing Scene’
Author(s) -
Martindale J.,
Kashefi Elham,
Goodacre L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
musculoskeletal care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 28
eISSN - 1557-0681
pISSN - 1478-2189
DOI - 10.1002/msc.1126
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , context (archaeology) , focus group , psychological intervention , medicine , perception , gerontology , active ageing , set (abstract data type) , qualitative research , psychology , nursing , older people , sociology , geography , social science , archaeology , neuroscience , anthropology , computer science , programming language
Abstract Objectives People are living longer with a long‐term health condition. Our aim was to develop a greater understanding of the experience and needs of people as they age with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Methods Ethical approval was obtained for six focus groups, with participants over 60 years of age, to explore experiences through peer group discussion. The groups were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded and a thematic analysis was conducted using NVIVO 10. Results Four women and 28 men, with an average age of 68 (range 60–83) years, consented to participate. Analysis identified a central organizing concept, ‘same backdrop but a changing scene’, which conceptualizes the continued impact of AS set against a backdrop of people transitioning into a new phase of their lives and facing differing challenges. Five themes underpin this concept: ‘it doesn't go away’ (AS remains active with continuing functional and symptomatic challenges); ‘wheels fall off after 60’ (perceptions of disease progression within the context of ‘normal ageing’); ‘keep on pushing, keep on doing’ (challenges of remaining active and motivated); ‘living a fulfilling life’ (actively engaging with life) and a ‘price to pay’ (significant psychological, physical and financial consequences on participants and their families). Conclusions As people living with AS make the transition into retirement, many aspire to live active lives while facing new challenges in relation to their lifestyles and priorities. There is a need to offer tailored interventions to enable older people to remain active and continue to lead the lives they choose within the context of an active and often debilitating condition. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.