The Experience and Meaning of Aging with Multiple Sclerosis: An Existential Phenomenological Approach

Objectives: Over the past 3 decades there have been significant advances in the development of pharmaceutical and rehabilitative treatments for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), such that life expectancy is continuing to increase. Whilst these advancements are exciting, there are also concerns and unknowns regarding what it is like to age with MS. The objectives of this research were to explore the lived experiences and meaning of aging in conjunction with having MS. Methods: Semistructured interviews with 40 persons with MS over 60 years were conducted. Thereafter data were subject to an existential phenomenological analysis. Results: Four different ways were discussed with regards to embodied experiences of aging with MS: aging makes MS worse; MS makes aging worse; aging makes MS better; and MS makes aging better. Discussion: This research highlighted the complexity of aging with MS and the various ways persons over 60 with MS experience and interpret this phenomenon.