Psychospołeczne aspekty utraty wzroku i słuchu w późnej dorosłości

Abstract

: With regard to a continuous tendency of ageing of the global population it is expected that in the upcoming decades the number of persons who will be losing both their vision and hearing will be increasing. In senior years acquiring multisensory disability leads to the decrease of the quality of life. The article focuses on the description of the im-plications the simultaneous loss of vision and hearing has for the psychosocial functioning of seniors. It is based on the review of empirical materials. In view of the existing research, the consequences of the combined deficits are much more severe than the consequences of each single deficit. The most frequently reported negative effects of acquired deafblindness include decrease of cognitive functions, limitation of social contacts, problems performing activities of daily living, mental health disorders, with mood disorders in particular. The research has shown an urgent need to introduce systemic assistive solutions in the area of prevention and rehabilitation. Those solutions should be aimed at increasing the quality of life of the seniors who are losing both vision and hearing.