Abstract
ObjectivesThe objective of the current study was to understand the added effects of having a sensory impairment (vision and/or hearing impairment) in combination with cognitive impairment with respect to health-related outcomes among older adults (65+ years old) receiving home care or residing in a long-term care (LTC) facility in Ontario, Canada.MethodsCross-sectional analyses were conducted using existing data collected with one of two interRAI assessments, one for home care (n = 291,824) and one for LTC (n = 110,578). Items in the assessments were used to identify clients with single sensory impairments (e.g., vision only [VI], hearing only [HI]), dual sensory impairment (DSI; i.e., vision and hearing) and those with cognitive impairment (CI). We defined seven mutually exclusive groups based on the presence of single or combined impairments.ResultsThe rate of people having all three impairments (i.e., CI+DSI) was 21.3% in home care and 29.2% in LTC. Across the seven groups, individuals with all three impairments were the most likely to report loneliness, to have a reduction in social engagement, and to experience reduced independence in their activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs). Communication challenges were highly prevalent in this group, at 38.0% in home care and 49.2% in LTC. In both care settings, communication difficulties were more common in the CI+DSI group versus the CI-alone group.ConclusionsThe presence of combined sensory and cognitive impairments is high among older adults in these two care settings and having all three impairments is associated with higher rates of negative outcomes than the rates for those having CI alone. There is a rising imperative for all health care professionals to recognize the potential presence of hearing, vision and cognitive impairments in those for whom they provide care, to ensure that basic screening occurs and to use those results to inform care plans.
Highlights
Sensory and cognitive impairments are highly prevalent among older adults (65+ years old) and are associated with difficulties in multiple domains including communication, mood, functional ability, and social engagement
Communication challenges were highly prevalent in this group, at 38.0% in home care and 49.2% in long-term care (LTC)
There is a rising imperative for all health care professionals to recognize the potential presence of hearing, vision and cognitive impairments in those for whom they provide care, to ensure that basic screening occurs and to use those results to inform care plans
Summary
Sensory (vision and hearing) and cognitive impairments are highly prevalent among older adults (65+ years old) and are associated with difficulties in multiple domains including communication, mood, functional ability, and social engagement. The literature has focused on the influence of a single impairment (e.g., hearing impairment, vision impairment, or cognitive impairment) and has infrequently considered their combined influence on health and well-being in older adults. Researchers have even less frequently investigated these combined effects among older adults receiving continuing care services (e.g., home care or long-term care). Sensory and cognitive impairments are highly prevalent among older adults and increase with age.[1] The prevalence is expected to increase over the coming decades due mainly to population aging as a result of various factors including improved health care delivery, efforts in health prevention and improved nutrition, to name a few. Within the two decades, it is anticipated that both age-related hearing impairment (HI) and vision impairment (VI) will rank within the top 10 burdens of disease among those living in middle- and highincome countries while cognitive impairment, including Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) and other forms of dementia, are anticipated to be in the top four.[6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
