Perceptions of everyday challenges for older adults with TBI: Care recipient–partner dyads

This study explored the perceptions of older adults with traumatic brain injury (PwTBI) and their care partners (Care Ps), focusing on the everyday challenges faced by PwTBI due to cognitive impairment. Specifically, we examined how PwTBI and their Care Ps perceived difficulties in daily life. Using data from the Everyday Needs Assessment for Cognitive Tasks (ENACT) study, we explored reported challenges related to health management, social engagement, transportation, domestic life, leisure, and recreation. We identified both common and unique issues and analyzed concordances and discordances in perceptions within PwTBI-Care Ps dyads. The key objectives were to enhance understanding of how PwTBI and Care Ps perceived challenges, which may differ substantially, and to identify gaps in care, symptom recognition, and support. This study was guided by the well-established Selection, Optimization, and Compensation (SOC) Model, a lifespan approach to adaptation. We examined how PwTBI manage everyday challenges by selecting meaningful tasks, optimizing their efforts to maintain function, and compensating for limitations through support strategies and adaptations. The goal was to facilitate more effective support systems and design targeted resources for high-need areas. Methodologically, we integrated both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Interviews from the ENACT study were transcribed and analyzed to quantify and interpret the complex, multidimensional data collected. This approach enriched the existing literature on TBI, offering new perspectives on person-centered care and paving the way for lifespan-oriented support strategies and refined intervention measures. Furthermore, the findings of this study can inform policy design and enhance practical support systems by providing evidence-based insights into dyadic perceptions of everyday challenges faced by PwTBI. These insights can guide the development of targeted interventions that improve healthcare services, caregiver training programs, and rehabilitation strategies tailored to the unique needs of PwTBI. Additionally, this research serves as a foundation for future studies exploring long-term adaptation mechanisms and the effectiveness of assistive technologies in mitigating cognitive and functional difficulties. By addressing critical gaps in care and communication between older PwTBI and their Care Ps, this study contributes to shaping policies that promote person-centered, lifespan-oriented support systems for this vulnerable population.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Community Health

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Umar, Tooba

Contributors dc:contributor

• Rogers, Wendy A
• Mudar, Raksha A

• traumatic brain injury
• care partners
• dyadic analysis
• cognitive impairment
• everyday challenges
• person-centered care
• psychosocial outcomes
• qualitative analysis
• quantitative analysis
• communication gaps
• support strategies
• rehabilitation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Tooba Umar

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129716

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129716