Care home study highlights poor care for dementia residents with hearing problems
Hard of hearing people with dementia are not receiving the care they desperately need, according to a new study by University of Manchester researchers.
The anonymised study of 10 staff from 8 different care homes, published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation, revealed how residents were largely unable to access audiology services.
The problem is particularly relevant in the UK, where around 70% of long-term care home residents have dementia and 85% have hearing loss.
鈥淧eople with dementia already are some of the most vulnerable people in society,鈥� said Lead author Dr Hannah Cross, 鈥淎nd because hearing loss in these people can exacerbate agitation, confusion, increase loneliness and social withdrawal, the task of providing high quality care is even more important.鈥�
All the participants in the study said audiologists rarely visit care homes compared to other healthcare professionals; two said they had never had seen one at all.
Though most of the staff interviewed by the researchers believed hearing support was beneficial, lack of training meant they did not have the knowledge to implement it effectively.
Staff, for example, found it hard to recognise if residents鈥� communication difficulties are caused by dementia or hearing loss.
Training on hearing loss for care home staff is not mandatory in the UK.
But basic hearing support training, hearing aids, communication techniques and other tools such as flashcards, would make a difference to residents鈥� quality of life, argue the researchers.
People with dementia already are some of the most vulnerable people in society, And because hearing loss in these people can exacerbate agitation, confusion, increase loneliness and social withdrawal, the task of providing high quality care is even more important
Dr Cross said: 鈥淥ften residents with dementia are expected to attend audiology clinics outside their care home, mostly in a hospital or clinic. That causes stress and confusion for residents, on the occasions they are able to attend.
鈥淔or care home residents with dementia, it is completely up to professional care staff and audiologists to support them and their hearing needs.
鈥淓ffectively treating their hearing problems can really improve the quality of life for residents and their carers.鈥�
The study was conducted online at the height of the pandemic, when care homes were largely cut off from public access.
However the problems caused by the pandemic seemed to make little difference to audiology services received by residents- who were already receiving minimal care.
She added: 鈥淲e think a radical overhaul of training and service provision is needed if we are to help people living in care homes with dementia and hearing loss.
鈥淪taff Hearing Champions鈥� have been recommended, though without proper incentivisation it鈥檚 not clear how much of an impact they would make for staff who already have a very high workload.
鈥淏ut without a doubt, greater co-operation between care homes and audiology services is desperately needed, so residents have equitable access to healthcare services, ideally within the care home.
鈥淎nd training for staff around hearing aid maintenance and communication techniques will also make a difference.鈥�
The paper 鈥�We鈥檙e just winging it鈥�. Identifying targets for intervention to improve the provision of hearing support for residents living with dementia in long-term care: An interview study with care staff is available