Developing a sensory impairment is a huge life change, affecting someone’s experience on every level. When someone’s hearing begins to deteriorate, or they notice their vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be, this can be very unsettling in itself. However, along with a loss of vision or hearing can come lots of other unexpected changes to the way someone feels, how they express themselves, and the ways they live their life. Our article supports you in being able to identify what potential changes might take place for someone with sensory impairment, and how to support the person you care for to navigate their own changes as positively as possible.
What is a sensory impairment?
A sensory impairment is when someone’s senses do not function fully, or at all. You can be born with a sensory impairment, or develop sensory impairment over time due to certain medical conditions, an accident or simple ageing. The most commonly affected senses are vision and hearing, especially as people get older.
When someone is developing a sensory impairment, or their condition is worsening, you might notice changes like them struggling more to follow a conversation, appearing more distracted or withdrawn, or bumping into things more often. Our article on caring for someone with a sensory impairment goes into more detail on this.
Changes to their sensory impairment
A sensory impairment isn’t a fixed state that always stays the same and so it’s possible that their condition might change over time. A carer for someone with a sensory impairment, being aware that certain changes might develop can help to ensure that changes are identified quickly. You might notice they are becoming extra tired with the extra effort they are needing to put in to concentrate, or they might be struggling with feeling overwhelmed in certain situations through experiencing sensory overload.
For some individuals, their level of sight loss or hearing loss might increase over time, and this can lead to changes in their needs and level of independence. This is particularly challenging for those who develop a dual sensory impairment, also known as deafblindness.
Helping someone to identify changes in their own condition
In order to ensure that the level of support offered is appropriate to the needs and abilities of the individual with the sensory impairment, it is important that they are willing, and able, to identify changes in their condition. It can be difficult for many individuals to acknowledge and admit these changes and so talking openly and honestly with the person you care for regularly about their condition can be a great way to create space to talk about to symptoms or challenges as they arise.
For many individuals living with a sensory impairment, the most obvious changes are those they experience when undertaking tasks they complete regularly. The individual might notice that the task is more difficult to complete, they are more tired after completing it, or they experience new symptoms which could hinder or prevent them from completing the task at all.
To support someone with these types of changes, you can encourage the person you care for to let you know when they struggle to do something that never posed a problem for them before. You could begin keeping a log, noting down any changes they share or that you notice, so you can share these with any professionals at the right time.
In addition to spotting the symptoms, encouraging the person you care for to attend regular check-up appointments, and accompanying them if it feels right, means any changes that might not be obvious to you both can be picked up and addressed quickly.
A sensory impairment can affect someone’s written and verbal communication, and how they choose to express themselves may change. As communication can feel more difficult, some individuals with a sensory impairment struggle with social situations, and feeling more and more isolated or excluded. You can help the person you care for to navigate any changes in how they communicate by supporting them to explore technology that makes communication easier for them, or to learn new communication styles, like BSL, Makaton or Deafblind Manual.
Depending on the nature of someone’s sensory impairment, some types of conversations may become more tricky. This is especially challenging if certain methods of communication that depend on a sense that they cannot use will become impossible, such as written text for someone who is blind. In certain situations, some people might need support to translate information for them into a format they can understand, and here sign language interpreters and speech-to-text or text-to-Braille technology can be helpful.
Our articles on technology and communication strategies to support someone with a sensory impairment (hearing/sight) goes into more detail.
Developing a sensory impairment can affect someone’s daily routines, and their life can suddenly look and feel very different.If someone is no longer able to work in a particular role despite employers making reasonable adjustments, this can lead to significant changes in their routine and to their sense of identity.
Sometimes someone’s sensory impairment means they need extra support in order to complete daily tasks. This might then mean changes to your caring role and your relationship as you both adapt to this new situation. Perhaps the person you care for is no longer able to simply pop out to the shop to buy a paper, or easily make a cup of tea to drink whilst they read the news. All these changes might mean someone doesn’t feel as independent and confident as they used to, and this in turn can affect their self esteem and overall wellbeing.
You might be noticing that the person you care for isn’t as engaged in certain activities as they used to be. A sensory impairment can affect their confidence and ability to get involved in social activities, and it might now feel too difficult to join in with favourite hobbies, sports and activities they may have enjoyed for years.
This can be a difficult situation to navigate as a carer for someone with a sensory impairment and the support offered will dependent on their impairment and the activity they used to enjoy. Whilst some may be able to enjoy parts of the activity or the activity in a different way, others may benefit from finding a new hobby to enjoy.
If the person you care for develops a severe sensory impairment but wants to continue working, there may be things that their employer can do to support them to return to work. These changes to their work are called ‘reasonable adjustments’. Examples of this could include providing auxiliary aids such as a support worker or information in alternative formats and other changes to help them continue working in all or part of their role. These will be specific to the individual, their needs and the type of work but, where it is safe to do so, employers are required to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010.
Individuals with a sensory impairment by also be able to engage with the Access to Work scheme that provides advice and support to those who have been diagnosed with sensory impairments. If the person you care for is looking for support in this area, Access to Work can help with any equipment and adjustments they need in order to do their job, and also offers a grant to help cover the costs of any equipment or training that they may need.
Practical support you can offer someone to manage these changes
If the person you care for is experiencing any of these changes, there may be changes in the level or type of needs they may have. A helpful first step to accessing more practical support might be to request a Social Care Needs Assessment or a review to highlight any areas where more suitable provision might be made.
You might also explore options for simple home adaptations, technology and equipment that could support them to live as independently as possible for as long as possible, based on their current level of impairment. This might include specialist equipment and tools to help the person you care for to manage their sensory impairment. Before accessing these types of tools and equipment, it can help to speak to professionals and condition-specific organisations for advice.
When supporting someone who has a sensory impairment which has recently changed, you may notice that their confidence is reduced or they need more physical support whilst they adjust to their new situation. During this time, encouraging the person you care for to attend health appointments and accompanying them, taking notes if necessary or supporting them to communicate with professionals, can be very reassuring. You might also help them manage their medication, supporting them to pick up prescriptions and to take it as advised.
If the person you care for is visually impaired, you might offer to guide them so they can continue to be active and get out into the community or go for walks, or you might help them explore the option of a service dog as a way to boost their independence further.
Emotional support you can offer someone to manage these changes
For many individuals, when a sensory impairment increased and they lose a part of their sight or hearing they once had, it can trigger feeling of sadness, loss and grief. Providing a safe space for the person you care for can help them to express how they are feeling as they navigate the changes that come along with their sensory impairment increasing. Whilst adjusting to these changes, it can be important to involve them in decisions related to their care and allow them to do what they can whenever possible. This will help to increase their confidence and sense of independence.
You can also help the person you care for to maintain their identity by supporting them to engage in the activities and hobbies they enjoy, and finding ways for them to be able to do and express what is most important to them. Supporting the person you care for to maintain and grow their social networks can also be a hugely valuable part of your role, and together, you might explore how they can continue to communicate with others in ways that work best for them.