HEALTHY AGING EYES & EARS - S2 - Sensory Health Needs and Barriers for Adults Aging with HIV

Sep 29, 2026

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Sensory loss is common among aging adults and is tied to adverse outcomes such as depression, frailty, cognitive decline, falls, and poorer quality of life. Vision and hearing difficulties are especially prevalent among adults aging with HIV, and they are linked to reduced engagement with healthcare. This qualitative community-based participatory study examines sensory health experiences, needs, and preferred programs among adults aging with HIV served by Colorado Health Network, analyzing interviews and focus groups through thematic methods and the Social Ecological Model.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Sensory loss and outcomes

Study design and participants

Thematic findings and Social Ecological Model

Facilitators and barriers

Implications for program design

1316 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.4383 HEALTHY AGING EYES & EARS: SENSORY HEALTH NEEDS AND BARRIERS FOR ADULTS AGING WITH HIV Alison Abraham1, Erin Burk-Leaver2, Hannah Kisselburgh3, and Haley Sanner2, 1. University of Colorado--Denver, Aurora, Colorado, United States, 2. Colorado Health Network, Denver, Colorado, United States, 3. Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, Colorado, United States Sensory loss is common among aging adults and has been linked to poor health outcomes, including depression, frailty, cognitive decline, falls, and poor quality of life. Vision and hearing loss are more prevalent among adults aging with HIV (AAWH) and are associated with decreased healthcare engagement. This qualitative study used a community-based participatory research approach to explore sensory health experiences, needs, and program preferences of AAWH receiving services at Colorado Health Network, a statewide AIDS Service Organization in Denver. Following purposive sampling, we conducted and audio-recorded ten individual interviews and two focus groups with 23 participants (ages 51-73), who shared their lived experiences with sensory loss and perspectives on sensory care. Audio recordings were transcribed, and data were analyzed through deductive and inductive thematic analysis and team-based triangulation. Six themes were identified: interplay of HIV and aging in sensory decline perceptions; sensory aid stigma and self-perceptions of accelerated aging; navigating affordability of sensory aids; creative behavioral, environmental, and technological adaptations to sensory loss; long-term survivorship as adriver of self-management of care and self-advocacy; integrating Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1317 ideal sensory care forAAWH. Using the Social Ecological Model, we identified facilitators and barriers to sensory care at the individual, interpersonal/provider, organizational/community, and system levels. Facilitators included motivation to maintain independence, peer modeling, community-based benefits, and care navigation. Barriers included discomfort with assistive devices, stigma, provider bias, limited awareness of HIV-specific health needs, and gaps in insurance coverage. Findings offer guidance for designing community-based sensory health programs tailored to the lived experience of AAWH.

FAQs

Why are vision and hearing issues important for adults aging with HIV?

Vision and hearing loss are more prevalent in adults aging with HIV and are associated with decreased healthcare engagement, alongside broader health risks seen in aging.

How was the qualitative study conducted?

Researchers used a community-based participatory research approach, conducting ten audio-recorded individual interviews and two focus groups with 23 participants, then applying deductive and inductive thematic analysis with team triangulation.

What factors were identified as facilitators and barriers to sensory care?

Facilitators included motivation to maintain independence, peer modeling, community-based benefits, and care navigation. Barriers included discomfort with assistive devices, stigma and self-perceptions, provider bias, limited awareness of HIV-specific needs, and insurance coverage gaps.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Rizky