Sensory Loss and Communication Difficulties in the Elderly

Many older people with hearing and vision loss experience reduced communicative capacity. Medical treatments (eg. cerumen removal, lens replacement), and ‘;instant’ therapies (eg. slowed speech, close proximity) may improve communication in the short term. In serious cases, specialist therapists may need to implement longer‐term intervention (eg. environmental control, perceptual aids, communication training). Recurrent communication breakdown can have devastating consequences for interpersonal relationships and psychosocial well‐being. Some older people with severe sensory impairment are able to interact only with skilled communication partners. This condition of age‐related communicative dependence on others has major implications for health care and professional education.