Near Vision but not Hearing Loss is Associated with Lacking a Usual Source of Health Care

2021 ◽  
pp. 089826432110143
Author(s):  
Adam Simning ◽  
Thomas V. Caprio ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Yeates Conwell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Near Vision ◽  
Environmental Covariates ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Usual Source

Objectives: Sensory loss may be a barrier to accessing healthcare services, and this study seeks to examine the association of sensory loss with whether older adults report having a usual source of health care. Methods: Our study included 7548 older adults who participated in the National Health and Aging Trends Study in 2015. Having a self-reported usual source of health care was our outcome, and hearing and vision loss were our primary independent variables. Results: In multivariate analysis accounting for demographics, socioeconomic, health status, and environmental covariates, near vision loss but not distance vision or hearing loss was associated with decreased odds of having a usual source of health care. Discussion: That older adults with near vision loss were less likely to report having a usual source of health care is concerning. Examining barriers to care is needed to identify sensory loss-relevant processes to optimize and intervene upon.

scholarly journals SCREENING FOR VISION AND HEARING LOSS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S120-S121
Author(s):  
Katherine McGilton ◽  
Fiona Höbler ◽  
Marilyn Reed ◽  
Tammy Labreche ◽  
M Kathleen Pichora-Fuller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Hearing Screening ◽  
Screening Tools ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Dual Sensory Loss

Abstract Sensory loss accounts for one of the most common chronic conditions among older adults, with hearing loss affecting half of adults aged over 65 years and vision loss almost one fifth of those aged 70 years and over. Together, dual sensory loss is found to be most prevalent in older adults with dementia. The highest prevalence is found in long-term care (LTC) settings. For this reason, we conducted a multi-stage study to identify the most effective vision and hearing screening tools for use with older adults living with dementia and to evaluate their feasibility of use by nurses working in LTC. We first conducted a comprehensive review of the literature, and supplemented this with an environmental scan of healthcare professionals and sensory specialists working with older adults who have dementia. Following this extensive review and consultative decision-making process, a package of vision and hearing screening tools was selected for use by nurses working in LTC. On-site training was provided by two experienced audiologists and optometrists, after which the feasibility of sensory screening by three nurses of 17 residents under their care was evaluated. We report on the six measures of hearing and seven measures of vision that were piloted for screening of older adults with dementia living in LTC, and on the findings for their feasibility of use by nurses working in this setting. Recommendations regarding the feasibility and reliability of screening for vision and hearing loss in older adults with dementia are discussed.

Accommodating Dual Sensory Loss in Everyday Practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-16
Author(s):  
Katharina V. Echt ◽  
Gabrielle H. Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Older People ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Health Care Settings ◽  
Speech Language Pathologist ◽  
Dual Sensory Loss ◽  
Dual Sensory Impairment

Dual sensory impairment is increasingly prevalent in people over age 65. The combination of vision loss and hearing loss impacts not only day-to-day function from the perspective of the patient, but must also be considered by the speech-language pathologist working with older people in health care settings. This article will discuss the implications of dual sensory impairment for both patients and professionals, and will provide strategies to support communication.

scholarly journals Sensory Loss and Cognitive Decline among Older Adults: An Analysis of Mediation and Moderation Effects of Loneliness

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 926-927
Author(s):  
Shaoqing Ge ◽  
Wei Pan ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Brenda Plassman ◽  
XinQi Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Mediation Effect ◽  
Psychological Status ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Multiple studies have reported that hearing and vision loss are linked to cognitive decline. Yet little is known about factors that may influence the association between sensory loss and cognitive decline. This study examined if loneliness mediates or moderates the impact of sensory loss on cognitive decline as individuals age. This was a longitudinal study using data (N = 243) from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (2006 – 2014) and its supplement: The Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS) (Wave C). Hearing loss was defined by an inability to hear pure-tone stimuli of 25 dB at frequencies between 0.5 – 4.0 kHz in either ear. Vision loss was defined as having corrected binocular vision worse than 20/40. Loneliness was measured by the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Longitudinal parallel-process (LPP) analysis was conducted at a significance level of α = .05 (one-tailed). Loneliness moderated but did not mediate the associations between vision loss and the rate of cognitive decline (standardized β = -.108, p < .05). No moderation or mediation effect of loneliness was found for the association between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Both hearing and vision loss were significantly associated with increased severity of loneliness. Vision loss combined with an elevated level of loneliness may produce a more synergistic, deleterious impact on older adults’ cognitive function than vision loss alone. This study highlights the importance of promoting a healthy social and psychological status for older adults with vision loss.

scholarly journals Do Communication Patterns Affect the Association between Cognitive Impairment and Hearing Loss among Older Adults in Vietnam?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1603
Author(s):  
Tran Dai Tri Han ◽  
Keiko Nakamura ◽  
Kaoruko Seino ◽  
Vo Nu Hong Duc ◽  
Thang Van Vo
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ordinal Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Communication Devices ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

This study examined the prevalence of cognitive impairment among older adults in central Vietnam and the roles of communication (with or without communication devices) in the association between cognitive impairment and hearing loss. This cross-sectional study was performed on 725 randomly selected community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years from Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. Participants attended a face-to-face survey. Sociodemographic characteristics, social interaction with or without communication devices, health status and cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination were reported. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to quantify the association between hearing loss and cognitive function by frequency of communication with and without devices. Mild and severe cognitive impairment had prevalence rates of 23.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Cognitive impairment was more prevalent among older adults with hearing-loss, vision loss and difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). The association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment was not significant when older adults had frequent communication with others using devices. This study presented the relatively high prevalence of cognitive impairment in community-dwelling older adults in Vietnam. Frequent communication using devices attenuated the association between hearing loss and cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Sensory loss and suicide ideation in older adults: findings from the Three-City cohort study

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 139-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cosh ◽  
I. Carrière ◽  
V. Daien ◽  
C. Tzourio ◽  
C. Delcourt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Major Depressive Disorder ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Major Depressive ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACTObjectives:To examine the longitudinal risk of vision loss (VL) or hearing loss (HL) for experiencing suicidal ideation in older adults.Design:The Three-City study, examining data from three waves of follow-up (2006–2008, 2008–2010, and 2010–2012).Setting:Community-dwelling older French adults.Participants:N = 5,438 adults aged 73 years and over.Measurements:Suicidality was assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Major Depressive Disorder module. Mild VL was defined as Parinaud of 3 or 4 and severe VL as Parinaud >4. Mild HL was self-reported as difficulty understanding a conversation and severe HL as inability to understand a conversation.Results:Severe VL was associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation at baseline (OR = 1.59, 95% CIs = 1.06–2.38) and over five years (OR = 1.65, 95% CIs = 1.05–2.59). Mild and severe HL were associated with an increased risk of suicidal ideation, both at baseline (OR = 1.29, 95% CIs = 1.03–1.63; OR = 1.78, 95% CIs = 1.32–2.40) and over five years (OR = 1.47, 95% CIs = 1.17–1.85; OR = 1.97, 95% CIs = 1.44–2.70).Conclusion:Sensory losses in late life pose a risk for suicidal ideation. Suicidality requires better assessment and intervention in this population.

scholarly journals Marital Status, Sex and Utilisation of Healthcare Service Among the Older Adults in India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Babul Hossain ◽  
K.S. James ◽  
Md Juel Rana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Health Care Utilisation ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: The association between marital status and health status among the elderly has been at the forefront of investigation for a long time. However, the study on the effects of marital status on health care utilisation is limited. This study assesses the association between use of inpatient health services and marital status among older adults in India from the perspective of sex. Methods: Data used in the study have been obtained from the 75th Round of National Sample Survey (NSS) on "Social Consumption: Health" with the sample size of 42,762 individuals aged 60 years or above. The study implements the Andersen's behavioural framework controlling the predisposing, enabling, and need characteristics and uses binary logistic regression models to assess the effect of marital status on inpatient health service. Results: There is a significant difference in inpatient healthcare use between married and widowed elderly by age, educational level, perceived health and mobility for both sexes. The unadjusted regression analysis shows that widowed are more likely to use inpatient health services both for women (OR=1.57; CI 95%= 1.47, 1.68) and men (OR=1.11; CI 95%= 1.02, 1.2). However, after controlling the predisposing, enabling, and need factors, a strong association between healthcare services and marital status has been found for women, but not for men. Widowed women (OR=1.43; CI 95%=1.33, 1.54) are more likely to use inpatient health care than married women. Conclusion: The present study has reported the association between the utilisation of inpatient health services and marital status for the elderly in India. Our study advocates that there is a sex difference in the utilisation of inpatient health services by the marital Status in India. Older widowed women should get more focus on health and elderly policy perspectives.

Understanding Hearing Loss and Barriers to Hearing Health Care Among Korean American Older Adults: A Focus Group Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 1344-1367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet S. Choi ◽  
Kyoo S. Shim ◽  
Kunhwa Kim ◽  
Carrie L. Nieman ◽  
Sara K. Mamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Korean American ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Hearing Health ◽  
Older Korean Americans

Hearing loss is associated with an accelerated decline in social, cognitive, and physical functioning among older adults. However, little is known about its impact and barriers to hearing health care in any ethnic minorities. The aim of this study was to explore experiences related to hearing loss and barriers to hearing health care among older Korean Americans (KAs). We conducted four focus groups with 19 older KAs with hearing loss and four communication partners. Qualitative content analysis revealed four themes: (a) impact of hearing loss, (b) self-perception of hearing loss, (c) coping strategies for hearing loss, and (d) barriers to hearing health care (price, language, lack of collaborative communications, perceptions about hearing aids, and lack of knowledge). Older KAs were significantly impacted by hearing loss but tended not to seek care due to multiple factors. Culturally tailored hearing interventions are urgently needed to promote hearing health in the KA community.

The Prevalence of Hearing, Vision, and Dual Sensory Loss in Older Canadians: An Analysis of Data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Thomas Mick ◽  
Anni Hämäläinen ◽  
Lebo Kolisang ◽  
M. Kathleen Pichora-Fuller ◽  
Natalie Phillips ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Acuity ◽  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Canadian Population ◽  
Dual Sensory Loss ◽  
Impairment Severity

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of hearing loss (HL), vision loss (VL), and dual sensory loss (DSL) in Canadians 45–85 years of age. Audiometry and visual acuity were measured. Various levels of impairment severity were described. Results were extrapolated to the 2016 Canadian population. In 2016, 1,500,000 Canadian males 45–85 years of age had at least mild HL, 1,800,000 had at least mild VL, and 570,000 had DSL. Among females, 1,200,000 had at least mild HL, 2,200,000 had at least mild VL, and 450,000 had DSL. Among Canadians 45–85 years of age, mild, moderate, and severe HL was prevalent among 13.4 per cent, 3.7 per cent, and 0.4 per cent of males, and among 11.3 per cent, 2.3 per cent, and 0.2 per cent of females, respectively. Mild and moderate, or severe VL was prevalent among 19.8 per cent and 2.4 per cent of males, and among 23.9 per cent and 2.6 per cent of females, respectively. At least mild DSL was prevalent among 6.4 per cent of males and 6.1 per cent of females.

The Helen Keller Question Applied to Workplace Discrimination: Hearing Loss vs. Visual Loss

2021 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-221
Author(s):  
Brian T. McMahon ◽  
Mykal J. Leslie ◽  
Grace W. Li ◽  
Phillip D. Rumrill ◽  
Paige E. Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Visual Loss ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Workplace Discrimination ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Ex Post ◽  
Sensory Impairments ◽  
Ex Post Facto ◽  
Quantitative Design

BackgroundIn exploring the matter of sensory loss and job discrimination, the National EEOC ADA Research Project (NEARP) seeks to answer a singular question.ObjectiveHow do persons with hearing loss (HL) vs. visual loss (VL) experience the nature and scope of workplace discrimination differently, if at all?MethodsThe NEARP team uses an ex post facto, causal comparative quantitative design that includes descriptive and inferential, nonparametric statistics. Closed EEOC files involving ADA allegations of workplace discrimination filed by Americans with Hearing Loss (HL, N = 21,847) and Vision Loss (VL, N = 16,136) were compared in terms of demographics, issues, and investigatory outcomes.ResultsHL and VL groups show Demographic differences to one another and to population statistics of sensory impairment in the areas of Gender and Race/Ethnicity. Regarding Issues, HL and VL groups are different from one another with respect to several prevalent matters (i.e., Discharge, Reasonable Accommodation) and small-scale matters (i.e., Hiring and Terms/Conditions). With respect to the Merit of allegations following EEOC investigation, HL and VL are very similar.ConclusionWorkplace discrimination is experienced differently for Charging Parties who experience HL vs. VL. Moreover, important differences exist Charging Parties from both sensory impairments vs. those from a General Disability Population.

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