Hospitalizations, Emergency Department Visits, and Home Health Use Among Older Adults With Sensory Loss

Abstract

Objectives: This study examines healthcare resource use (hospitalizations, emergency department [ED] visits, and home health episodes) among adults 65 and older diagnosed with hearing, vision, or dual sensory loss (SL) seen in the primary care setting of an academic health system. Methods: Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between SL (identified using ICD-10 codes) and healthcare resource use for 45,000 primary care patients. Results: The sample included 5.5% ( N = 2479) with hearing loss, 10.4% ( N = 4697) with vision loss, and 1.0% with dual SL ( N = 469). Hearing loss increased the likelihood of having an ED visit (OR = 1.22, CI: 1.07–1.39), and home health services (OR = 1.27, CI: 1.07–1.51) compared to older adults without any SL. Vision loss reduced the likelihood of having a hospitalization (OR = .81, CI: .73–.91). Discussion: Findings support research into the drivers of healthcare use among older adults with sensory loss.