Sensory impairments among older adults with intellectual disability

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Abstract
The extent of vision and hearing impairment was evaluated in a study of 45,500 adults with an intellectual disability, 35 years of age and older. Visual impairment or blindness was recorded in 25% of adults in the total sample, 21% of adults aged 35 to 59 years, 36% of adults aged 60 to 79 years, and 50% of adults aged 80 and older. Impaired hearing or deafness was recorded in 22% of adults in the total sample, 16% of adults aged 35 to 59 years, 35% of adults aged 60 to 79 years, and 62% of adults aged 80 and older. The results indicated a prevalence among adults with intellectual disability comparable to or greater than that found in the general population and that these sensory deficits occurred with increasing frequency with advancing age. These findings point to the need to heighten awareness among staff and other carers about vision and hearing problems, and the consequent problems which may develop in interpersonal, communication, and adaptive functioning. Findings also support general screening for sensory impairments.