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Prevalence, Risk Factors and Self-Reported Medical Causes of Seeing and Hearing-Related Disabilities Among Older Adults*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Parminder Raina ,
Micheline Wong ,
Steven Dukeshire ,
Larry W. Chambers  and
Joan Lindsay
Parminder Raina
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia British Columbia Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health
Micheline Wong
Affiliation:
British Columbia Research Institute for Children's and Women's Health
Steven Dukeshire
Affiliation:
McMaster University
Larry W. Chambers
Affiliation:
McMaster University
Joan Lindsay
Affiliation:
Health Canada
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Abstract

The prevalence, risk factors, and medical conditions associated with seeing and hearing disabilities were examined among Canadian adults aged 55 years and older. A probability sample of respondents from the 1986 and 1991 Canadian Census were selected to complete the 1986 and 1991 Health and Activity Limitations Survey (HALS). Seniors, 65 years and older, were more likely than 55–64 year olds to experience a sensory disability. Men were more likely than women to report having hearing disabilities, while women were more likely to report seeing disabilities than men. Increased age and lower total household incomes were associated with a greater likelihood of having a sensory disability. Cataracts and deafness were reported most often as the cause of seeing and hearing ADL restrictions in both age groups. Sensory disabilities are prevalent conditions among older adults. Public health initiatives should focus on hearing and seeing disabilities particularly among seniors, women, and the lower income level population.

Résumé

On a examiné la prévalence, les facteurs de risque et les troubles médicaux associés aux déficiences de la vue et de l'ouïe chez les adultes canadiens de 55 ans et plus. On a établi un échantillonnage aléatoire à partir des recensements canadiens de 1986 et 1991 et on a demandé aux citoyens qui en faisaient partie de remplir le Sondage sur la santé et les limitations d'activité (ESLA) de 1986 et 1991. On a constaté que les aîné(e)s de 65 ans et plus présentaient plus de déficiences sensorielles que ceux de 55 à 64 ans. Les hommes signalaient plus de difficultés de l'ouîe que les femmes tandis que les femmes présentaient plus de difficultés de la vue que les hommes. On a constaté que l'incidence des difficultés sensorielles semblait augmenter avec l'âge et avec la diminution de revenu total de la maisonnée. Ce sont les cataractes et la surdité qui ont été le plus souvent mentionnées comme cause de restriction des activités de la vie quotidienne dans les deux groupes d'âge. Les difficultés sensorielles sont fréquentes chez les aîné(e)s. Les initiatives de santé publique devraient se pencher sur les difficultés de la vue et de l'ouïe, particulièrement chez les aîné(e)s, les femmes et les gens à faible revenu.

Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , Été/Summer 2000 , pp. 260 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2000

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