Journal
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Volume 77, Issue 5, Pages 983-991Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbab065
Keywords
Hearing impairment; Long-term services and support; Vision impairment
Funding
- National Institute on Aging [K23AG059900, K23AG065443, K01AG052640]
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Diversity Supplement [R33 DC015062-05S]
- Commonwealth Fund [20192345]
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Vision and hearing impairments are associated with limitations in daily activities among older adults, and sensory impairment may increase the risk of adverse consequences when long-term services and supports needs are not met.
Objectives Vision and hearing impairments are highly prevalent conditions among older adults, and well-established links exist between sensory impairment and household, mobility, and self-care activity limitations. However, studies examining the impact of unmet long-term services and supports (LTSS) needs have not considered the role of vision and hearing impairment on the risk of experiencing adverse consequences, including wetting or soiling oneself. Method Using Rounds 1 and 5 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative survey of Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older, we examine the association of vision and hearing impairment on the odds of experiencing an adverse consequence while accounting for other sociodemographic and health status factors. Results Among a weighted population of 49,770,947 community-living older adults with limitations in household, mobility, or self-care activities, 20.1% (95% CI: 19.2-21.0) experienced an adverse consequence as a result of unmet LTSS needs. In the fully adjusted regression, individuals with vision or hearing impairment had 96% (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96; 95% CI: 1.64-2.34) and 43% increased odds (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.24-1.65), respectively, of experiencing any adverse consequence. Hearing impairment was associated with higher odds of household or self-care adverse consequences, while vision impairment was associated with higher odds of mobility or self-care adverse consequences. Discussion Sensory impairment may increase the risk for adverse consequences for older adults with unmet LTSS needs. Activities that support older adults living safely in the community should consider the role of sensory impairment and how to address the unique needs of those with hearing or vision impairment.
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