The Circle of Care for Older Adults with Hearing Loss and Comorbidities: A Case Study of A Geriatric Audiology Clinic

Autor/inn/en	Dupuis, Kate; Reed, Marilyn; Bachmann, Florine; Lemke, Ulrike; Pichora-Fuller, M. Kathleen
Titel	The Circle of Care for Older Adults with Hearing Loss and Comorbidities: A Case Study of A Geriatric Audiology Clinic
Quelle	In: Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 62 (2019) 4, S.1203-1220 (18 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1092-4388
Schlagwörter	Older Adults; Hearing Impairments; Comorbidity; Audiology; Rehabilitation; Visual Impairments; Disabilities; Diseases; Access to Information; Records (Forms); Clinics; Professional Personnel; Cooperation + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Älterer Erwachsener; Hearing impairment; Hörbehinderung; Audiologie; Visual handicap; Sehbehinderung; Handicap; Behinderung; Disease; Krankheit; Formularsammlung; Personalbestand; Co-operation; Kooperation
Abstract	Purpose: Older adults seeking audiologic rehabilitation often present with medical comorbidities, yet these realities of practice are poorly understood. Study aims were to examine (a) the frequency of identification of selected comorbidities in clients of a geriatric audiology clinic, (b) the influence of comorbidities on audiology practice, and (c) the effect of comorbidities on rehabilitation outcomes. Method: The records of 135 clients (Mage = 86 years) were examined. Information about comorbidities came from audiology charts (physical paper files) and hospital electronic health records (EHRs). Data about rehabilitation recommendations and outcomes came from the charts. Focus groups with audiologists probed their views of how comorbidities influenced their practice. Results: The frequency of identification was 68% for visual, 50% for cognitive, and 42% for manual dexterity issues; 84% had more than one comorbidity. Also noted were hypertension (43%), falls (33%), diabetes (13%), and depression (16%). Integrating information from the audiology chart and EHR provided a more complete understanding of comorbidities. Information about hearing in the EHR included logs of outpatient audiology visits (75% of 135 cases), audiologists' care notes for inpatients and long-term care residents (25%), and entries by other health professionals (60%). Modifications to audiology practice were common and varied depending on comorbidity. High rates of success were achieved regardless of comorbidities. Conclusions: In this clinic, successful outcomes were achieved by modifying audiology practice for clients with comorbidities. Increased interprofessional communication among clinicians in the circle of care could improve care planning and outcomes for older adults with hearing loss. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2020/1/01