1. Dual sensory loss: Its significance and importance for those working with older people Sue Brown, Sense

2. Health consequences Risk of falling 3 times higher 4.3 times more problems with walking High blood pressure 1.5 times Heart problems 2.4 times Stroke 3.6 times Arthritis 2.2 times Diabetes 2.1 times

3. Cognitive problems 6 times greater incidence of mild cognitive problems (confusion) 4 times greater for visual impairment only 2 times greater for hearing impairment only

4. Mental Health 1.6 – 2.7 times more depressive symptoms Higher than either vision or hearing loss

5. Deafblind Persons are regarded as deafblind if their combined hearing and sight loss cause problems with mobility, access to information and communication

6. What can be done? Quality of life for older people with dual sensory impairment who are compensated as well as possible, is very close to the quality of life experienced by those with no sensory impairment.

7. Deafblind guidance Identify, make contact with and keep a record of deafblind people Assessment by a qualified specialist Specialist services One-to-one support Accessible information Senior manager

8. So what’s the problem? Sensory teams are in working age adults department People assume sensory loss is a natural part of ageing