Maintaining Independence: A Study into the Health and Social Well being of Older Limbless Veterans

Abstract: The impact of losing a limb extends well beyond initial recovery and rehabilitation, with long term consequences and challenges requiring healthcare commitments across the life-- course. A renewed interest in the longterm impact of limbloss has been sparked by the social and political imperative to care for military veterans injured during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. The starting poi nt for this study was a sense that there are, perhaps, important lessons to be learned from older generations of veteranplayedout following the loss of a limb. A review of existing literature emphasised that, whilst li amputees, and how their lives have mbless veterans are generally able to achieve a good quality of life, limbloss is still a progressive and degenerative injury , involving enduring experiences of pain, comorbidities, and sometimes mental health problems, which undermine veterans’ health, w ellbeing and quality of life. Veterans’ approaches to coping and the way in which society views them, impacts up on their longterm adjustment to limbloss. The literature highlights the substantial cost of caring for limbless veterans throughout the life course and the financial commitments required to safeguard their long-- term health and care needs. Very few UK studies have considered the impact of limb life-- loss for military veterans across the course: fewer still have employed approaches where limbless veterans were given the opportunity to report how it was for them. Consequently, the main aims of this study were: 1) 2) MethodologyTo explore the physical, psychological and social wellbeing of older, limbless veterans across the life course To ascertain the factors that contribute to the ability of limbless veterans to maintain their independence at various stages in their lives.