In a recent blog post, National Council on Aging (NCOA) highlighted a study on “Recognizing the Needs of Older Adults with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss,“ offers key recommendations for improving the lives of older DeafBlind individuals.
The recommendations included in the report and blog post are listed below and may be informative to communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly. Each recommendation has supporting information in the NCOA blog post and further detail in the report.
1. Promote Support Service Provider (SSP) / Co-Navigator (CN) Programs
2. Advocate for better public transportation systems
3. Provide accessible opportunities for socialization
4. Improve communication access across settings
5. Train support staff and medical professionals how to work with people who are DeafBlind
6. Promote the use of accessible weather and emergency alert systems
7. Encourage follow-ups and wraparound services to meet changing needs
For those looking to explore more about aging and vision/hearing loss, NCOA’s blog offers the following resources:
- Helen Keller National Center—Older Adult Resources (select “Older Adults”)
- For collaboration and training opportunities for older adults, family members, and professionals, contact Jenee Alleman, HKNC’s Older Adult Specialist, at jalleman@helenkeller.org
- Caregiver Tip Sheet
- Smart911 App
The Smart911 app allows users to create a safety profile with personal information (medical, security, etc.) that is shared with 911 dispatchers and responders during emergencies, potentially aiding in faster and more efficient emergency response.Apple—https://apps.apple.com/us/app/smart911/id1413223852
Google Play—https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ravemobilesafety.mysmart911
- Recognizing the Needs of Older Adults with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss (Brown-Ogilvie, Alleman, & Conway, 2024): learn more about the study, access the Research to Practice paper, the Needs of DeafBlind Older Adults Survey Demographic Snapshot, and more.
In Massachusetts, additional support and resources are available from the Mass. Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (MABVI), Mass Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Mass Commission for the Blind.