Sensory Loss Can Bring Increased Risk of Isolation, Depression

According to a study by The University of Chicago, nearly 94 percent of older adults in the United States are living with at least one diminished sense. While many seniors experience hearing or vision loss, senses such as taste, touch and smell can also be affected.
Diminished senses are commonly regarded as minor annoyances, but they have also been linked to serious and long-lasting problems for older adults, including loneliness and feelings of social isolation. Researchers at the University of British Columbia examined the impact of undiagnosed or untreated hearing issues in seniors ages 60 to 69 and found that for every 10 decibel drop in hearing sensitivity, the odds of social isolation increase by 52 percent.
Left undetected, the loss of senses can result in feelings of depression and diminished quality of life for older adults. That’s why Home Instead Senior Care encourages families to be mindful of signs that an older adult is experiencing diminished senses, including: