Cognitive Status and Psychological Well-Being of Older Adults with Hearing, Vision, or Dual Sensory Impairments

Abstract

Background: Visual and hearing impairments increase with age and are associated with increased loneliness, depression, anxiety, and mental health problems. In addition to dependence, the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia increases in older adults. Aim : To assess the cognitive status and psychological well-being of older adults with visual, hearing, or dual sensory impairments. Design : A descriptive research design was employed. Sample : A purposive sample was used to collect the study sample, the study was conducted in the ophthalmology and audiology outpatient clinics of Sohag University Hospital. The total number of subjects was 100 elderly patients. Tool : Five instruments were used. Structured interview questionnaire. It includes sociodemographic characteristics and medical history, Geriatric Depression Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Loneliness Scale UCLA and Mini Mental Status Examination Scale. Results : The study showed that the majority of the older adults with sensory impairment suffered from moderate and severe anxiety, depression, and loneliness. There were statistically significant differences between the anxiety and depression levels of elderly with sensory impaired based on age and education level, also there were statistically significant differences between the levels of anxiety and depression in these individuals. There were a coefficient correlation between the elderly cognitive function and the levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. In addition, nearly half and almost one-third of them had mild and moderate cognitive impairment, respectively. Conclusions: half of the studied elderly with visual, hearing, and duel sensory impairment had moderate depression, mild anxiety and high loneliness. Moreover one-third of them had moderate cognitive impairment. Recommendation : Provision of rehabilitation programs for older adults with hearing, visual, and dual sensory impairments.