Deaf older adults’ experiences of receiving old age care support

Research examining Deaf older adults' needs or experiences of old age care is scarce. This study aims to describe how Deaf older adults, supported by Swedish old age care, experience interactions and participation in everyday life and in social care situations. This study gives voice to Deaf older adults whose perspectives are rarely represented in research. To minimize misunderstandings, the qualitative individual interviews with Deaf older adults were conducted by Deaf signing research assistants. The results show that Deaf older adults face communication barriers due to a lack of shared language with their old age care staff, which may also pose health risks. Yet, despite the absence of sign language communication, participants described communication with those who help them as sufficient for basic needs, albeit limited. Furthermore, restricted community mobility contributed to sparse social contacts with Deaf peers, leading to social isolation and reduced social well-being.