Age-related sensory loss affects most of us as we grow older.
With the ageing population, introducing an approach towards integrated health care and inclusive environments could be a chance for those affected by the sensory loss.
Approximately 360 million people in the world have a hearing loss that affects their everyday life and functional ability.
RNIB states that 4 in 5 people in England has some kind of visual impairment are over 60, one in two people aged 90 and over are living with sight loss. According to Action on Hearing Loss, more than 40% of people over 50 years old have hearing loss, rising to 71% of people over the age of 70.
It is estimated that around 5.9% of the population of Middlesbrough has some form of sensory impairment. The majority of those people are aged over 65.
Sensory loss has a significant impact on the feeling of loneliness and experiencing isolation, as well as poor mental health. Still, many services and businesses don’t offer accessible information. Simple things like GP services allowing people to book appointments through text messages, or creating a quiet corner at the local coffee shop can improve things for people with sensory loss.