An adapted adult day centre for older adults with sensory impairment

Abstract

The MAB-Mackay Rehabilitation Centre runs a Day Centre Programme whose objectives are to maintain or improve the seniors’ biological, psychological, and social health while delaying or avoiding institutionalization. Activities include walking groups, language courses, and memory games, supervised by an interdisciplinary team. Services include rehabilitation follow-up and referrals to community resources. The present study reports on the impact of the Day Centre on the holistic health of older adults with visual impairment. Between September 2011 and October 2012, 30 newly referred clients (age = 71–98 years, M = 85, visual acuity [VA] 20/50 to no-light-perception [NLP], M = 20/126) were evaluated at intake, and after 6 and 12 months, including the Visual Function Questionnaire-14, Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly, Geriatric Depression Scale, Friendship Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). In all, 19 participants completed the 1-year follow-up and continued to live independently in the community 12 months after entering the Day Centre. Only one person was transferred into long-term care. Comorbid conditions included high blood pressure, asthma, cardiac problems, diabetes, stroke, arthritis, and osteoporosis. Participants reported statistically unchanged scores on all the measures, except for improved MoCA scores, p < .05. Considering the vulnerability of this population, the data indicate that the Day Centre contributes to prevent decline in its clients’ general well-being. The increase in cognitive scores is possibly linked to practice effects and reduced test anxiety. Participation in adapted Day Centre activities, as an integrated part of rehabilitation services, may support independent living in older adults with vision loss.