Change in life roles and quality of life for older adults after traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major health problem for adults aged 50–65 years. Mild/moderate TBI in older adults has implications for the workforce and the individual’s quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: To compare changes in life roles, QOL, daily activity performance, perceptions of support available and rehabilitative experiences among older adults with predominantly mTBI and orthopaedic injury (OI). METHODS: The study included 15 individuals with TBI (13 mild, 2 moderate) and 15 with OI (50–65 years), with injuries sustained more than 6 months prior to. A semi-structured interview retrieved background information, and satisfaction with life roles and daily activities. The World Health Organisation Quality of Life Questionnaire - 100 Version was used to examine QOL, and The Role Checklist was administered to assessed change in life roles. RESULTS: Independent samples t-tests revealed older adults with mTBI experienced more role losses, had lower QOL, and were less satisfied with daily activity performance than those with OI. Regression analysis revealed mTBI significantly predicts QOL (except physical domain) when controlling for gender, age at injury and time since injury. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate the detrimental impact of predominantly mild TBI on older adults’ life roles and QOL, and highlights need for services that adequately support older adults who have experienced mTBI, so they can return to their pre-injury life roles and maintain QOL.