Citation

Wilson G, McGill G, Osborne A, Kiernan MD. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020; 17(5): ePub.

Affiliation

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health, Northern Hub for Veterans and Military Families' Research, Northumbria University, Newcastle NE7 7XA, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph17051791

PMID

32164199

Abstract

Military veterans can experience limb loss as a direct result of conflict, an accident, illness or injury. Whatever the cause, there is a need to recognise the long-term consequences and challenges of limb loss on maintaining independence in one's home. This study aimed to examine the housing needs of veterans experiencing limb loss, and the impact of limb loss on housing needs and home adaptations of ageing military veterans. Thirty-two military veterans (aged 43-95) participated in this study and up to three life-story interviews were carried out with each participant. Two themes were generated: availability of support and changing housing needs. It is evident from the findings that military veterans are unique in various ways, specifically due to military culture, geographical relocation and the additional support that is available to the Armed Forces Community. This must be considered in long-term support to maintain independence in the home.

Language: en

Keywords

healthy ageing; home adaptations; housing; maintaining independence; military veteran; older adult