Experiences and Perceptions of Hospitalization and Recovery of Older Adults and Their Caregivers Following Traumatic Brain Injury: "Not Knowing".

The purpose of the current study is to describe the experience and perceptions of older adults and their caregivers following hospitalization for mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). Qualitative analysis of data obtained in individual semi-structured interviews with older adults and their caregivers (N = 11, five dyads and one individual) was performed to capture the perceptions and experiences of the survivor and their caregivers about the acute injury, hospitalization, and recovery. Data were collected over a 2-month period following discharge from the hospital. Open coding and constant comparative analysis generated codes that were revised throughout the analysis and reformulated into thematic descriptions. As a result, seven interrelated themes were identified. These findings can be used to implement interventions focused on recovery, communication, teaching, patient outcomes, and satisfaction. [Res Gerontol Nurs. 2019; 12(5):227-238]. Copyright 2019, SLACK Incorporated.