Barriers and Facilitators to the Social Participation of Individuals Aging with a Long-Term Neurological Disability: A Scoping Review

Samuel Turcotte (), Sirine Kheroua, Gloria Brun, Laura Gagnon, Nora Bustamante, Angéline Labbé, Pascale Simard, Megan Veilleux, Mia Lapointe, Manh Hung Nguyen and Mélanie Levasseur
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Samuel Turcotte: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Sirine Kheroua: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Gloria Brun: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Laura Gagnon: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Nora Bustamante: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Angéline Labbé: Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation and Social Integration (Cirris), Québec, QC G1M 2S8, Canada
Pascale Simard: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Megan Veilleux: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Mia Lapointe: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Manh Hung Nguyen: School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Mélanie Levasseur: Research Centre on Aging, Health and Social Services Centre, University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1H 2J7, Canada

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-26

Abstract: Supporting the social participation of individuals aging with long-term neurological disabilities is key to healthy aging. However, knowledge about the factors influencing their social participation remains limited and fragmented. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, this scoping review synthesized and integrated knowledge regarding the barriers and facilitators to the social participation of individuals aging with long-term neuro-disabilities. A search in four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and EMBASE) resulted in 18 studies involving 2587 participants with nine neurological conditions: stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, aphasia, post-polio syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. A total of 38 barriers, 25 facilitators, and 4 factors with mixed influence to social participation were identified. Key reported barriers included the organic system (e.g., fatigue or pain) and macro environments (e.g., inaccessible built environment). The most common facilitators involved physical dimensions in personal factors (e.g., good physical functions) and micro-environments (e.g., supportive social environment). This review highlights the need for accessible infrastructure and community support to promote inclusivity and equity. Future research should focus on community-level factors and mixed study designs to provide robust evidence to improve social participation and healthy aging in this vulnerable population.

Keywords: neurological disorders; healthy aging; health equity; social inclusion; built environment; community support; vulnerable population; health determinant (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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