Life goals of people with disabilities due to neurological disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the life goals of people with long-term neurological disabilities and to correlate them with measures of disability.


METHODS
Cross-sectional descriptive study.


METHODS
Centre for continuing disability management


METHODS
Patients with static or progressive neurological disorders.


METHODS
Survey using questionnaires and disability scales.


METHODS
Life goals were identified with a life goals questionnaire. Subjects were also assessed using the Barthel Index, Rivermead Extended Activities of Daily Living Index, Rivermead Mobility Index, Short Orientation Memory Concentration test and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Ninety-three subjects participated in the study. The frequency with which goals were chosen as extremely important was: family 64; personal care 59; residential arrangements 58; partner 53; social contacts 30; financial status 29; leisure 26; religion 22; and work 19. Positive correlation was noted between stated importance of: personal care and independence in ADL; work and independence; partner and cognitive ability; religion and age; and financial status and anxiety. There was negative correlation between grades of personal care and depression, work and age, residential arrangements and RMI, and social contact and anxiety and depression. Depressed patients rated fewer goals as being of extreme importance.


CONCLUSIONS
People with disabilities attach great significance to relationships and personal care. Grades of life goals correlated with measures of disability, cognition and emotion.
Sivaraman Nair
K P
KP
Department of Rehabilitation, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India. kpsnair@hotmail.com
Wade
Derick T
DT
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires