Acquired Combined Vision and Hearing Loss: Awareness and Perceptions of Australian Aged Care Workers

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the attitudes, competency, and awareness of those supporting older people who have an acquired combined vision and hearing loss is an important endeavor for this population. It can help guide aged care policy makers, leaders, and managers in the allocation of resources and training. This Australian study investigated the awareness and perceptions of aged care workers on supporting older adults with acquired combined vision and hearing loss. Methods: Twenty-four participants who were employed in aged care services participated in semistructured interviews that were thematically analyzed. The interviews explored the participants’ awareness of this disability, identification within their service, adaptation strategies, and their access to relevant information. Results: Several themes emerged, including lack of identification and recording of acquired combined vision and hearing loss in this population, lack of awareness of this disability, and lack of available information or training to support aged care workers within their care setting. Discussion: Aged care workers have little understanding of the prevalence of acquired combined vision and hearing loss in an older population. Care plans are key documents for individuals, which outline their needs and any sensory losses; however, this information is not well recorded. Aged care workers have little awareness of how to effectively support this population. When encountering an individual with an acquired combined vision and hearing loss, however, an aged care worker will develop strategies to support the individual. Individuals with this acquired dual-sensory loss, as well as dementia, pose a significant challenge to aged care workers, and dementia is often the primary focus of intervention. Implications for Practitioners: It appears that older individuals living in aged care settings who have acquired combined vision and hearing loss are not adequately identified, nor are aged care workers adequately trained to support individuals with this unique disability.