Self‐reported dual sensory impairment, dementia, and functional limitations in Medicare beneficiaries

Abstract Sensory impairment is prevalent among older adults and may increase risk for delirium via mechanisms including sensory deprivation and poor communication which may result in confusion and agitation. In the Medicare Current Beneficiary Study (MCBS), delirium was measured using a validated algorithm of claims data. Sensory impairment was defined as any self-reported trouble hearing or seeing, with the use of aids, and was categorized as no impairment, hearing impairment only (HI), vision impairment only (VI), and dual sensory impairment (DSI). Among, 3,240 hospitalized participants in 2016-2017, 346 (10.7%) experienced delirium. In a model adjusted for socio-demographic and health characteristics, those with HI only, VI only, and DSI had 0.84 (95% CI: 0.6-1.3), 1.1 (95% CI 0.7-1.7), and 1.5 (95% CI 1.0-2.1) times the odds of experiencing delirium compared to those without sensory impairment. Future research should focus on mechanisms underlying association and determine the impact of treatment of sensory loss.

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Satisfaction With Health Care by Dual Sensory Impairment Status

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igaa057.2892 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 798-798

Author(s):

Lama Assi ◽

Ahmed Shakarchi ◽

Bonnielin Swenor ◽

Nicholas Reed

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Care ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Health Determinants ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Medicare Beneficiaries ◽

The Past ◽

Patient Provider Communication ◽

Care Satisfaction ◽

Dual Sensory Impairment

Abstract Sensory impairment is a barrier to patient-provider communication and access to care, which may impact satisfaction with care. Satisfaction with the quality of care received in the past year was assessed in the 2017 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (weighted sample=53,905,182 Medicare beneficiaries). Self-reported sensory impairment was categorized as no sensory impairment, hearing impairment (HI)-only, vision impairment (VI)-only, and dual sensory impairment (DSI) – concurrent HI and VI. In a model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and health determinants, having DSI was associated with higher odds of dissatisfaction with the quality of care received (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.53, 95%Confidence Interval [CI]=1.14-2.06) relative to no sensory impairment; however, having HI-only or VI-only were not (OR=1.33, 95%CI=1.94-1.89, and OR=1.32, 95%CI=0.95-1.93, respectively). These findings have implications for healthcare providers as Medicare shifts to value-based reimbursement. Moreover, previous work that singularly focused on HI or VI alone may have failed to recognize the compounded effect of DSI.

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Accompaniment to healthcare visits: the impact of sensory impairment

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-020-05829-8 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas S. Reed ◽

Lama Assi ◽

Emily Pedersen ◽

Yasmeen Alshabasy ◽

Ashley Deemer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

The United States ◽

Vision Impairment ◽

Sensory Loss ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Medicare Beneficiaries ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Impact ◽

Dual Sensory Impairment

Abstract Background Millions of older adults in the United States experience hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment (concurring hearing and vision impairment) yet little research exists on their needs in interactions with the healthcare system. This piece aims to determine the use of accompaniment in healthcare interactions by persons with sensory impairment. Methods These cross-sectional analyses included data from the 2015 Medicare Current Beneficiaries Survey and survey weighting provided by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Adjusted odds of reporting accompaniment to healthcare visits and given reasons for accompaniment among United States Medicare beneficiaries with self-reported sensory impairment (hearing, vision, and dual sensory impairment) were examined. Results After excluding observations with missing data, 10,748 Medicare beneficiaries remained representing a 46 million total weighted nationally representative sample, of which 88.9% reported no sensory impairment, 5.52% reported hearing impairment, 3.56% reported vision impairment, and 0.93% reported dual sensory impairment. Those with vision impairment and dual sensory impairment had 2.139 (95% confidence interval [CI] =1.605–2.850) and 2.703 (CI = 1.549–4.718) times the odds of reporting accompaniment to healthcare visits relative to those without sensory impairment. A secondary analysis suggests communication needs as the primary reason for accompaniment among persons with hearing loss, while those with vision impairment were more likely to indicate transportation needs. Conclusions Healthcare accompaniment is common for persons with sensory loss and healthcare systems should consider accommodations for and leveraging accompaniment to improve healthcare for persons with sensory impairments. In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, as hospitals limit visitors to reduce the spread of infection, arrangements should be made to ensure that the communication and transportation needs of those with sensory impairment are not neglected.

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IMPACT OF DUAL SENSORY IMPAIRMENT ON HEALTH CARE INTERACTION

Innovation in Aging ◽

10.1093/geroni/igz038.169 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S44-S44

Author(s):

Bonnielin Swenor ◽

Yasmeen Alshabasy ◽

Emily Pedersen ◽

Jennifer Deal ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Hearing Impairment ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Vision Impairment ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Medicare Beneficiaries ◽

Physician Visits ◽

Using Data ◽

The Relationship ◽

Dual Sensory Impairment

Abstract Using data from 46,029,364 Medicare beneficiaries included in the 2015 Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS), we examined the relationship between dual sensory impairment (DSI) – concurrent vision impairment (VI) and hearing impairment (HI) – and accompaniment to physician visits. Analyses examined reasons for accompaniment and self-reported sensory impairment was categorized as: no sensory impairment (89%), hearing impairment (HI) only (5%), vision impairment only (4%), and DSI (1%). There was no difference in odds of accompaniment among HI compared to those without sensory impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.04; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.84,1.29); however, VI and DSI were associated with accompaniment: (OR=2.14; [CI]:1.6,2.8 and [OR]= 2.70; [CI]:1.55,4.72, respectively). Our study further demonstrates that older adults with sensory impairment are accompanied to physician visits more often than those without sensory impairment, and transportation is the most frequently reported reason for accompaniment among adults with VI and communication for those with HI.

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Prevalence, Associated Factors and Health-related Quality of Life of Dual Sensory Impairment in Residential Care Facilities in Singapore

Ophthalmic Epidemiology ◽

10.1080/09286586.2021.1926515 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Kam Chun Ho ◽

Eva K Fenwick ◽

Preeti Gupta ◽

Alfred Gan ◽

Jenny HY Loo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Residential Care Facilities ◽

Care Facilities ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related ◽

Dual Sensory Impairment

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Effects of self-reported hearing or vision impairment on depressive symptoms: a population-based longitudinal study

Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences ◽

10.1017/s2045796018000045 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 28 (03) ◽

pp. 343-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

J. H. Han ◽

H. J. Lee ◽

J. Jung ◽

E.-C. Park

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Hearing Impairment ◽

Age Groups ◽

Estimating Equation ◽

Population Based ◽

Vision Impairment ◽

Sensory Impairment ◽

Related Factors ◽

Dual Sensory Impairment

Aims.The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of either hearing, vision or dual sensory impairment on depressive symptoms and to identify subgroups that are vulnerable and significantly affected.Methods.Data from the 2006–2014 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) were used and a total of 5832 individuals were included in this study. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D10) scale. Sensory impairment was assessed according to the levels of self-reported hearing or vision, which were categorised as either good (excellent, very good or good) or poor (fair or poor). The changes in hearing or vision from records of previous survey were investigated. Changes from good to poor, which indicates new onset, were defined as hearing impairment or vision impairment. Interactions of changes in hearing and vision were considered in the analysis. Dual sensory impairment was indicated when hearing impairment and vision impairment both developed at the same time. Demographic, socioeconomic and health-related factors were considered as potential confounders and were adjusted for in the generalised estimating equation model.Results.Individuals with hearing impairment demonstrated significantly more severe depressive symptoms [β = 0.434, standard errors (s.e.) = 0.097, p < 0.001] than those who had good hearing. Those with vision impairment also showed significantly elevated depressive symptoms (β = 0.253, s.e. = 0.058, p < 0.001) than those with good vision. When the interactions between hearing and vision were considered, participants with dual sensory impairment showed significantly more severe depressive symptoms (β = 0.768, s.e. = 0.197, p < 0.001) than those with good hearing and vision. The effect of a single and dual sensory impairment on depressive symptoms was significant in both sexes and across age groups, except for vision impairment in male participants.Conclusions.Hearing, vision and dual sensory impairment are significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Our results suggest that treatment or rehabilitation of either hearing or vision impairment would help prevent depression.

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