Dual Sensory Impairment and Cognitive Decline: The Results From the Shelter Study

TitleDual Sensory Impairment and Cognitive Decline: The Results From the Shelter Study
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsYamada Y, Denkinger MD, Onder G, Henrard J-C, van der Roest HG, Finne-Soveri H, Richter T, Vlachova M, Bernabei R, Topinkova E
JournalThe Journals of Gerontology: Series A
Volume71
Issue1
Pagination117-123
Date Published2016-01-01
ISBN Number1079-5006
Abstract

To examine whether nursing home residents with concurrent vision and hearing impairment, dual sensory impairment (DSI), have a greater cognitive decline over time than do those without sensory impairment and whether social engagement modifies this association.Based on the Services and Health for Elderly in Long TERm Care study, 1,989 nursing home residents who were assessed using the interRAI LTCF at 6-month intervals over 1 year were included. Multivariate linear regression models with time-variant exposure variables of sensory impairment and social engagement using generalized estimating equations were performed to predict cognitive function measured by the Cognitive Performance Scale (range 0–6).Residents with DSI had a greater cognitive decline [changes in Cognitive Performance Scale over 1 year = 1.12 (95% confidence interval = 0.81:1.42)] compared to those with either vision or hearing impairment [0.67 (0.53:0.64)] and those without sensory impairment [0.56 (0.48:0.64)]. A lower level of social engagement was also associated with a greater cognitive decline. The combined exposure variable of sensory impairment and social engagement revealed the greatest cognitive decline for socially disengaged residents with DSI [1.87 (1.24:2.51)] and the potential effect modification of social engagement on the association between DSI and cognitive decline; DSI was not associated with a greater cognitive decline among socially engaged residents, while it was associated among socially disengaged residentsCognitive function declines faster in nursing home residents with DSI only when residents were not socially engaged. Therefore, residents with DSI might cognitively benefit from interventions to improve involvement in social life at nursing homes.

DOI10.1093/gerona/glv036
Link

https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glv036

Short TitleDual Sensory Impairment and Cognitive Decline