No fuss please! I’m deafblind: a personal point of view and some friendly suggestions

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to offer practical suggestions as to factors needing consideration when meeting, interacting with or assessing the needs of an older person living with acquired deafblindness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper’s author draws on his personal experience of living with acquired deafblindness to offer practical suggestions.

Findings

This paper offers an experiential definition of acquired deafblindness, before providing practical suggestions related to engaging with deafblind people, distinguishing between acquired deafblindness and cognitive decline, and assessing hearing and sight levels.

Originality/value

There is a paucity of literature on the lived experience of older people living with acquired deafblindness. This paper offers both a unique insight into this experience combined with practical suggestions for those in contact with older deafblind people.

Citation

Wilson-Hinds, R. (2023), "No fuss please! I’m deafblind: a personal point of view and some friendly suggestions", Working with Older People, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 44-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/WWOP-03-2022-0013