Meeting the needs of older adults who are DeafBlind: Challenges and solutions

Alicia Colombo

Sources: National Council on Aging | National Center on Deafblindness | Helen Keller National Center

Aging presents both opportunities and challenges. For older adults who have trouble seeing and hearing (called “DeafBlind”), the challenges can be much harder.

Some of the biggest issues that affect DeafBlind older adults are:

• Trouble communicating with others.
• Limited ways to get around.
• Feeling lonely or cut off from people.
• Difficulty using the health care system.

To improve life for DeafBlind older adults, we need to take several steps. This means offering more support services, advocating for their needs, and making everyday places easier to access. A study from the Helen Keller National Center suggests ways to improve life for older DeafBlind adults. These changes can help them have greater access, autonomy and quality of life.

More support programs
Support Service Providers (SSPs) or Co-Navigators (CNs) effectively support DeafBind individuals. These trained professionals help individuals navigate their environment, access information and
facilitate communication. With this help, DeafBlind adults can stay independent while doing everyday things. They could shop, keep medical appointments or attend events. If more money and resources went to these programs, DeafBlind adults could travel more easily, join in social activities and take care of themselves easier.

Easier public transportation
Many DeafBlind older adults have trouble using transportation. This limits their ability to work, see friends or get health care. Public transit often lacks:

• Clear signs that can be felt, seen or heard.
• Real-time updates in accessible formats. These include Braille, large print or screen-reader-friendly alerts.
• Staff trained to understand DeafBlind needs.

Making public transit more accessible would give DeafBlind adults more freedom and independence. This includes buses, trains, paratransit and ride-share services.

Accessible social activities
Feeling isolated is a big problem for DeafBlind older adults. Creating accessible social events and spaces can help them stay connected and engaged. Doing so requires clear communication channels, trained staff and inclusive design. Accessible events can include:

• Social groups and events that incorporate tactile, visual and auditory communications.
• Peer support programs to connect with others who share similar experiences.
• Accessible recreational activities, such as adapted fitness programs or art workshops.

Meaningful social engagement opportunities can help reduce loneliness and promote overall well-being.

Easier communication
Communication barriers prevent full participation in daily activities, health care and employment. To fix this, we need bigger, system-wide changes, like:

• Training professionals in DeafBlind communication methods. These include tactile signing and print-on-palm.
• Making conversations smoother by using more tech tools. These include video relay services (VRS) and captioned phone systems.
• Communicating faster and easier with assistive devices. These can include speech-to-text programs, Braille displays and other tools.

These changes would allow older DeafBlind adults to connect with others more easily. They can share ideas and be fully involved in their communities.

Training for medical staff
A lot of doctors, nurses and care givers haven’t had much training on how to work with DeafBlind patients. This can lead to misunderstandings or people being left out of their own care. To fix this, we should:

• Make training mandatory for medical staff.
• Teach staff how to spot and accommodate sensory disabilities. This makes care truly patient-centered.
• Help professionals understand how to arrange the right interpreting support. This might be visual ASL, close vision or tactile interpreting.

Health care teams will have the right skills and knowledge. DeafBlind patients will get better care, feel respected and be more involved in their own health care.

Making emergency alerts accessible
When there’s a big storm, natural disaster or other public emergency, older DeafBlind adults are often the last to know. This is because public alerts aren’t set up in ways Hthey can access. We can change that by:

• Making public alert systems available in multiple formats. These include Braille, vibration alerts and messages that work with screen readers.
• Creating community emergency plans that include the needs of older DeafBlind residents.
• Training emergency responders to communicate clearly with DeafBlind people. This will speed up evacuations or other urgent situations.

When alerts are accessible, DeafBlind individuals can get the information they need right away. And, that can make all the difference in staying safe.

Meeting changing needs
Getting older is a journey, and the needs of DeafBlind adults can shift over time. A one-time fix isn’t enough — support has to keep up as life changes. That means offering:

• Regular check-ins with social workers, support staff, or community groups.
• Training on new technology so older adults can keep using the latest tools that make life easier.
• Flexible service plans that can be adjusted as someone’s needs grow or change.

When support is ongoing and adaptable, DeafBlind adults can stay independent, connected, and in control of their own lives.

DeafBlind resources

To learn more about aging and vision/hearing loss, see the following resources:

• Helen Keller National Center — www.HelenKeller.org/resources. (Select “older adults” from topics.) | East Central Regional Network: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia: 516-319-6390 (mobile); 240-667-7295 (video phone)
• Smart911 app allows users to create a safety profile with personal information (medical, security, etc.) that is shared with 911 dispatchers and responders during emergencies. This may aid in faster and more efficient emergency response. The free app is available for both Apple and Google devices.
• Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians ships materials in accessible formats, including braille, to people who cannot read print materials. http://mylamp.org | 215-683-3213