Silent Struggles: Mental Health and Community Integration of Adults With Sensory Impairments.

Abstract

Older adults with sensory impairments report higher levels of anxiety, depression, and social isolation than those without these impairments. This study aims to determine whether older adults with and without sensory impairments who attend a senior day center or reside in a retirement community differ in their mental health and community integration. A descriptive study was conducted with 22 participants who self-reported a hearing or a visual impairment, utilizing the Community Integration Measure and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21. No differences were found in community integration or mental health conditions based on impairment type; however, a correlation between depression and community integration was identified. Significant correlations were observed between stress and anxiety levels in individuals with hearing impairments and between stress and sensory impairments compared with those without. Stress and anxiety are prevalent among older adults with hearing loss, underscoring the importance of incorporating mental health initiatives into the community.