ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN SENSORY LOSS AND SOCIAL NETWORKS, PARTICIPATION, SUPPORT, AND LONELINESS

Abstract

In this analysis of data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, vision loss (in men) and dual sensory loss (in 65-to 85-year-olds) were independently associated with low social network diversity. Vision loss and dual sensory loss (in 65-to 85-year-olds) were independently associated with low social participation. Hearing, vision, and dual sensory losses were each independently associated with loneliness and reduced availability of social support, respectively.  These findings are concerning because social support facilitates positive coping mechanisms that mitigate the effects of sensory loss and other chronic disabling conditions. Living with a chronic health condition often entails relying on others for help with instrumental tasks and emotional support. Unfortunately, individuals with clinically diagnosed sensory loss typically receive little, if any, relationship and communication counseling. Associations between sensory loss and social networks, participation, support, and loneliness Abstract Objective To determine if hearing loss, vision loss, and dual sensory loss were associated with social network diversity, social participation, availability of social support, and loneliness, respectively, in a population-based sample of older Canadians and to determine whether age or sex modified the associations. Design Cross-sectional population-based study. Setting Canada. Participants The sample included 21 241 participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging tracking cohort. The sample was nationally representative of English-and French-speaking, non-institutionalized 45-to 89-year-old Canadians who did not live on First Nations reserves and who had normal cognition. Participants with missing data for any of the variables in the multivariable regression models were excluded from analysis. Main outcome measures Hearing and vision loss were determined by self-report. Dual sensory loss was defined as reporting both hearing and vision loss. Univariate analyses were performed to assess cross-sectional associations between hearing, vision, and dual sensory loss, and social, demographic, and medical variables. Multivariable regression models were used to analyze cross-sectional associations between each type of sensory loss and social network diversity, social participation, availability of social support, and loneliness. Results Vision loss (in men) and dual sensory loss (in 65-to 85-year-olds) were independently associated with reduced social network diversity. Vision loss and dual sensory loss (in 65-to 85-year-olds) were each independently associated with reduced social participation. All forms of sensory loss were associated with both low availability of social support and loneliness. Conclusion Sensory impairment is associated with reduced social function in older Canadians. Interventions and research that address the social needs of older individuals with sensory loss are needed. e34 Canadian Family Physician | Le Médecin de famille canadien  Points de repère du rédacteur  Dans cette analyse des données de l'Étude longitudinale canadienne sur le vieillissement, la perte de la vue (chez les hommes) et la perte sensorielle double (chez les 65 à 85 ans) étaient associées indépendamment à une faible diversité du réseau social. La perte de la vue et la perte sensorielle double (chez les 65 à 85 ans) étaient indépendamment associées à une faible participation sociale. La perte de l'ouïe, la perte de la vue et la perte sensorielle double étaient chacune indépendamment associées respectivement à la solitude et à un accès réduit au soutien social.  Ces constatations sont inquiétantes parce que le soutien social facilite les mécanismes d'adaptation positive qui atténuent les effets de la perte sensorielle et des autres problèmes incapacitants chroniques. Vivre avec un problème de santé chronique exige souvent de se fier à autrui pour des tâches instrumentales et du soutien émotionnel. Malheureusement, les personnes qui reçoivent un diagnostic clinique de perte sensorielle ne reçoivent habituellement que peu ou pas de counseling en relations et en communication. Résumé Objectif Déterminer si la perte de l'ouïe, la perte de la vue et la perte sensorielle double sont respectivement associées à la diversité du réseau social, à la participation sociale, à l'accès au soutien social et à la solitude dans un échantillon d'une population de Canadiens plus âgés, et déterminer si l'âge ou le sexe modifie les associations.