scholarly journals Exploring the lived experience of older adults with dual sensory impairment

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter Wittich ◽  
Marie-Celine Lorenzini
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Dual Sensory Impairment

Objective. With the aging of the population, the prevalence of combined age-related vision and hearing impairments continues to rise. This increase results in a higher likelihood for low vision practitioners to serve older adults with dual sensory impairment (DSI). In order to ultimately provide optimal services to this population, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of older adults with DSI, examine their perceptions of their loss and identify the obstacles they face in their daily lives. Method. Twenty-nine older adults (age range 60 to 100) with DSI were interviewed about their experience of living with DSI. These interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a phenomenological approach through qualitative description. Results. Inter-rater reliability assessment between the two students who conducted the coding was high (kappa = .85). Six themes emerged from the interviews, three of which described participant priorities before the onset of their DSI (diagnosis, symptoms and treatments), and three summarizing concerns thereafter (barriers, facilitators and experiences with assistive technology). The later focused on activities of daily living and leisure activities, as well as specific experiences when coping with DSI. Discussion. The description of participants’ perception and experience with their sensory impairments can help low vision practitioners understand their clients’ perspective and their rehabilitation priorities in order to improve the practitioners –patient relationship. Furthermore, in a more general way, this study enables a better understanding of individuals living with DSI.

scholarly journals Gaming Technology to Support Leisure Activities Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Walter Boot
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gaming Technology ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract There has been a great deal of research on technology to support older adults in their performance of Activities and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. There has been substantially less research, however, on exploring technology solutions that support hobbies and leisure. This is unfortunate, as quality of life and well-being are determined by more than just one’s ability to manage everyday tasks. An overview will be presented of research the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) has conducted over two decades with the goals of understanding and supporting older adults’ performance of technology-based leisure activities. Many of these studies have involved videogaming, where there exists a substantial age-related digital divide. CREATE has evaluated older adults’ attitudes and game experiences through survey and research studies and has even recorded longitudinal gameplay. How these findings can be applied to support technology-based leisure activities will be expanded upon. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.

DUAL SENSORY IMPAIRMENT IN OLDER ADULTS AND RISK OF DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. P196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip H. Hwang ◽  
William T. Longstreth ◽  
Courtney E. Francis ◽  
Stephen Thielke ◽  
Annette L. Fitzpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Sensory Impairment ◽  
Dual Sensory Impairment

The benefits and barriers to technology acquisition: Understanding the decision-making processes of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL)

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colleen McGrath ◽  
Arlene Astell
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Occupational Engagement ◽  
Technology Acquisition ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Vision Rehabilitation ◽  
Barriers To Technology

Introduction While research has investigated the factors influencing acquisition and use of technologies/assistive devices by older adults, few studies have addressed the decision-making processes regarding technology adoption of older adults with age-related vision loss. Method This critical ethnography engaged 10 older adults with age-related vision loss in narrative interviews, participant observation sessions, and semi-structured in-depth interviews to understand their decision-making processes related to the acquisition and use of low vision assistive devices to support occupational engagement. Findings Study findings focused on the benefits and barriers to technology acquisition and use. Benefits of technology acquisition included: enhanced occupational engagement; independence; safety; insurance; and validation of the disability, while the barriers to technology acquisition included: cost; training; usability; lack of awareness of low vision rehabilitation services; fear of being taken advantage of; and desire to preserve a preferred self-image. Conclusion Considering the low uptake of vision rehabilitation services, the study findings are important to occupational therapy. A better understanding of the perceived benefits and barriers to technology adoption from the perspective of older adults will help occupational therapists maximize treatment planning designed to enhance the occupational engagement of older adults aging with vision loss.

Understanding the Relationship Between Pet Ownership and Physical Activity Among Older Community-Dwelling Adults—A Mixed Methods Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-139
Author(s):  
Mandy Peacock ◽  
Julie Netto ◽  
Polly Yeung ◽  
Joanne McVeigh ◽  
Anne-Marie Hill
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Pet Ownership ◽  
Sedentary Behaviors ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Daily Step Count

Pet ownership is associated with increased levels of physical activity (PA) in older adults. Studies have mainly focused on the association between PA and dog walking; however, broader aspects of pet ownership may influence PA. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between pet ownership and incidental and purposeful PA using a mixed methods approach. Participants’ (N = 15) PA was measured for 7 days using accelerometers and diaries. Semistructured interviews explored participants’ perspectives regarding pet-related activities. Participants’ mean (SD) daily step count was 14,204 (5,061) steps, and mean (SD) sedentary time per day was 8.76 (1.18) hr. Participants strongly concurred that their pets were an integral part of their daily lives. Incidental and purposeful PA resulted from participants undertaking pet care and socially interacting with their pets. Pets may interrupt sedentary behaviors by nudging older adults to engage in PA as part of their daily lived experience.

scholarly journals Using Participant Observation to Enable Critical Understandings of Disability in Later Life: An Illustration Conducted With Older Adults With Low Vision

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691989129
Author(s):  
Colleen McGrath ◽  
Debbie Laliberte Rudman
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Social Constructions ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Holistic Understanding

Research with older adults aging with vision loss has typically been informed by a biomedical theoretical framework. With a growing focus, however, on critical disability perspectives, which locates disability within the environment, new methods of data collection, such as participant observation, are needed. This article, which reports on the findings from a critical ethnographic study conducted with older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL), aims to share those insights gained through participant observation and to demonstrate the utility of this method. Three insights were gained including the adaptive strategies tacitly employed to navigate the physical environment, a grounded understanding of social interactions that transpire in everyday contexts, and negating the presence of older adults with ARVL when accompanied by a perceived caregiver. The study findings unpack how participant observation can be used to understand social constructions of disability and gain a holistic understanding of environmental influences on the disability experience of older adults with ARVL.

Experiences of age-related declining navigation abilities and impact on use of outdoor environments: A qualitative study of older adults with self-reported memory difficulties

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Heward ◽  
Ben Hicks ◽  
Brooke Hedges ◽  
Rebecca Gaden ◽  
Jan Wiener
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Outdoor Environments ◽  
Neuropsychological Theory

Laboratory-based experiments show ageing negatively impacts navigation abilities, yet a paucity of research explores lived experience. This exploratory study examined older people with self-reported memory difficulties experiences of declining navigation abilities during sixteen semi-structured telephone interviews. Findings reveal: (i) ‘Behavioural drivers’ that underpinned the participants’ experiences and actions when engaging with their environments (ii) ‘Avoidance’ and (iii) ‘Active’ strategies that were adopted by the participants. Declining cognitive function appeared to have a negative impact on participants perceived abilities and confidence to navigate unfamiliar outdoor environments, which in turn influenced the strategies they chose to adopt. Future psychosocial interventions should draw on neuropsychological theory to ensure retention of navigation skills and confidence for as long as possible.

Living with Fear: The Lived Experience of Community Mobility among Older Adults with Low Vision

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Laliberte Rudman ◽  
Michelle Durdle
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Risk Avoidance ◽  
Core Element ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Low Vision Rehabilitation

This secondary analysis of data drawn from a descriptive phenomenological study explored how older adults with low vision experience and manage community mobility. Participants included 34 urban and rural older adults, age 70 years and older, who were not using low-vision-rehabilitation services. The findings convey a core element of the experience of community mobility for participants: living with a pervasive sense of fear regarding one’s body and way of being. Participants continually gauged risks associated with mobility and engaged in risk avoidance and management strategies. Community mobility was often restricted by participants because of perceived risks, leading to reduced participation in a range of physical, social, and other types of activities. Further research on environmental factors mediating community mobility and on strategies effective in maintaining mobility among seniors with low vision is essential to optimize participation, health, and service delivery.

Catalyst to Connection: When Technical Difficulties Lead to Social Support for Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
pp. 1167-1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Francis ◽  
Travis Kadylak ◽  
Taj. W. Makki ◽  
R. V. Rikard ◽  
Shelia R. Cotten
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Age Related ◽  
The Impact

Information and communication technology (ICT) use can mitigate the negative impact of various age-related threats, such as isolation and loneliness, by facilitating connection with social ties and access to social support. Although research regarding various uses and benefits of ICTs among older adults has increased, there is limited research regarding the impact of technical difficulties on older adults’ well-being. Our study explores technical difficulties encountered, how older adults cope with ICT failure, and the various forms of social support that may result as a consequence of accessing technical support. We use data from nine semistructured focus groups conducted with older adults in the Midwest region of the United States. Results show that older adults may adapt new strategies for coping with the technical difficulties that arise from regular ICT use. Furthermore, as older adults incorporate ICTs into their daily lives and seek assistance from social ties and experts, they may also be indirectly combating the threat of isolation and loneliness.

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