Grant: Operating Grant: Voluntary Sector Knowledge Mobilization Support Grant

Age-related dual sensory loss (DSL) can affect the lives of older adults in a multitude of ways by creating social and functional difficulties. These difficulties can negatively affect quality of life as the individual experiences loss of autonomy and independence, social isolation and loneliness, and poor physical and mental well-being. Consequences of age-related DSL can also interfere with medical diagnoses, treatment and/or disease management. According to Sarah Fraser, the lack of public awareness of the high incidence of DSL in older adults puts this population at risk for loss of independence, higher levels of depression, limitations in communications and social activities, and even mortality. Bringing attention to older adults and addressing their age-related DSL can significantly improve both their quality and span of life through appropriate supports such as hearing aids and opthalmological treatment, which can reduce risk of injury (e.g. Slips and falls) and frailty and allow them to engage more fully in their community and daily activities. According to the World Federation of the Deafblind Global Report on Older people 2023 those who were both sighted and hearing, until ageing caused them to lose both senses, require support and assistance with transport services, assistive devices and technology, and an environment with knowledge of the impairment and of how to treat a person with combined visual and hearing impairment. There is a greater need for educating the public and raising awareness about unique disability of DSL. Creating accessible environments can improve the quality of life for adults who experience DSL as they age. It is also important to establish a system for information resources and continuous training on DSL for frontline workers (e.g., health, rehabilitation, education, social work, etc.) to understand how to identify, rehabilitate, educate, and support persons with DSL and how to adapt services as good practice models evolve. DeafBlind Ontario Services (DBOS) has been involved in advancing the knowledge and gathering evidence and data from the Canadian Survey on Disability 2022 to improve the life of people with age-related DSL.