Windows to their world: the effect of sensory impairments on social engagement and activity time in nursing home residents

TitleWindows to their world: the effect of sensory impairments on social engagement and activity time in nursing home residents
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1997
AuthorsResnick H.E, Fries B.E, Verbrugge L.M
JournalJournals of Gerontology Series B-Psychological Sciences & Social Sciences
Volume52
Issue3
PaginationS135-44
Date PublishedMay
Accession Number9158570
Keywords*Communication Disorders/px [Psychology], *Hearing Disorders/px [Psychology], *Interpersonal Relations, *Nursing Homes, *Vision Disorders/px [Psychology], Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Human, Male, Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Time Factors
Abstract

This study examined relationships between three sensory and communication abilities and two areas of nursing home resident behavior. Data from 18,873 nursing home residents include measures of hearing, visual, and communication abilities, and social engagement and time spent in activities. Increasing level of visual impairment is associated with low levels of social engagement and low time in activities. Both moderate and severe hearing impairment are associated with low time in activities, while inadequate communication is associated with limits in both social engagement and time in activities. The combined effects of visual and communications impairments are associated with low social engagement. Increasing attention to sensory and communication losses may lead to improve quality of life in this population.

Short TitleJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc SciThe journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
Alternate JournalJ Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci