Qualité de vie, participation et moment de l'intervention en réadaptation chez les personnes âgées ayant une déficience visuelle

Quality of life (QOL) and participation are important outcomes of rehabilitation interventions. However, few studies have documented global QOL and participation of older people with visual impairment (VI). In addition, clinicians and researchers in vision rehabilitation accept that intervention at the onset of VI is an important element contributing to its success and, therefore, could positively influence QOL and participation. However, VI severity at the time of the initial rehabilitation intervention and its long-term impacts on QOL and participation have not been extensively explored. Purpose: This study aimed to deepen the knowledge related to QOL, participation and time of the initial rehabilitation intervention for older adults with VI acquired in later life. Methods: This descriptive correlational cross-sectional study involved elderly people with VI caused by age-related macular degeneration who had participated in a rehabilitation program. The 140 participants, recruited at the Institut Nazareth et Louis-Braille, responded to various validated questionnaires including the Quality of Life Index and Assessment of Life Habits to assess QOL and participation in daily activities and social roles (accomplishment and satisfaction), respectively. Visual acuity determined VI severity at the time of the initial rehabilitation intervention. Results: The participants' QOL was good and equivalent to that of the general population. Depressive symptoms and social support explained 54% (p<0.001) of the QOL variance. Compared to older adults without disabilities, participants had greater participation restrictions, but they were generally satisfied with their level of participation. Finally, they had at best a moderate VI at the time of the initial rehabilitation intervention. There was no significant association between time of the initial rehabilitation intervention and both dependant variables, QOL and participation, except a weak significant correlation with the level of accomplishment in daily activities (r = -0.18, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Although older adults with VI seem satisfied with their life in general and their level of participation, they remain more vulnerable compared to their peers without disabilities. In fact, they have more depressive symptoms and participation restrictions, even after completing a rehabilitation program. A moderate rather than severe VI at the time of the initial rehabilitation intervention does not predict a better long-term QOL or participation in this population. However, the context of the study did not allow testing the impact of an intervention when the VI was mild. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the impact of VI on QOL and participation of older adults. Future research should also examine predictors of QOL and participation to develop rehabilitation programs linked more closely to the needs of this population.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctorat

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sciences cliniques

Grantor dc:publisher

Université de Sherbrooke

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Renaud, Judith

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Durand, Marie-José

• Intervention précoce
• Réadaptation
• Personne âgée
• Déficience visuelle
• Satisfaction
• Participation
• Qualité de vie

Language dc:language.iso

fr

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11143/6251

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:usherbrooke.scholaris.ca:11143/6251