Millions of Older Adults Living With Sensory Loss Face a Greater Risk for Isolation

According to a survey conducted by Home Instead Inc. and reported on by the Norfolk Daily News , 83 percent of older Americans are living with at least one diminished sense. Whether it's touch, vision, or smell, even the slightest deficit can create major challenges for seniors, especially in a world that is not generally designed to accommodate those with sensory loss. Researchers caution that seniors experiencing these impairments can also find themselves at a greater risk for isolation, particularly during the ongoing pandemic. The study further found that one in three older men and women living with a sensory loss felt they missed out on such social experiences as hobbies and trips before COVID-19. Safety precautions such as social distancing guidelines and stay-in-place orders have further limited their ability to fully connect with the world around them.