Introduction: Around 90% of residents of aged care in Australia have hearing and/or vision impairment. More than half are also living with dementia. Hearing and vision impairments affect the quality of life of residents and increase health resource utilisation.
Methods: A sequential mixed methods design, starting with a cross sectional survey of stakeholders (residents, hearing/vision professionals, family and staff) to identify staff behaviours for a sensory support intervention for residents. Subsequently, using the Behaviour Change Wheel, interviews and workshops were conducted with stakeholders to explore implementation barriers and assess the acceptability and feasibility of behaviour change strategies to promote target behaviours.
Results: Sixty-nine participants (professionals (n=26), residents (n=14), family (n=15), and staff (n=14)) completed the survey. Three key intervention elements were identified: supporting device use, effective communication, and reducing background noise. Insufficient staff knowledge and skills around supporting hearing/vision needs, being task-focused, forgetfulness and sensory device accessibility were identified from twenty-two interviews as barriers to enacting the key behaviours. Three co-design workshops with stakeholders (n=11) reached consensus on four-component interventions that were feasible: 1) Mastering Sensory Support (staff training); 2) Sensory Support Goal Setting (integrating sensory support into staff’s daily tasks), 3) Sensory Support Station (designated area equipped with sensory devices); and 4) Sensory Support Prompts (visual cues for sensory support).
Conclusion: This study utilised co-design to develop a multicomponent intervention to support the hearing and vision needs of residents in aged care. Implementation and effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated via a field trial.