Objectives Sensory disabilities, including vision disability and hearing disability, increase risk for social isolation, which is associated with multiple negative health outcomes. Existing literature suggests that the cultural value of familism may provide a buffer against social isolation. We examined the longitudinal trajectory of social isolation among Hispanic older adults with self-reported vision disability (SRVD) and self-reported hearing disability (SRHD) and tested a modified measure of social isolation incorporating familism. Methods We compared 8-year trajectories of social isolation among Hispanics (n = 445) and non-Hispanic Whites (n = 4,861) from the National Health and Aging Trends Study. We used structural equation modeling to explore the longitudinal relationships between sensory disability and social isolation while comparing two measures of social isolation. Results Social isolation increased longitudinally for both groups, with SRVD significantly associated with higher initial levels. Social isolation started and remained higher across time among Hispanics. Using an adjusted measure of social isolation (added familial support), neither initial levels nor trajectories of social isolation differed between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White participants. Discussion Initially, Hispanics appeared more socially isolated, reporting less social support from outside the home. Yet, we found that they were more likely to report family social connections. Traditional measures of social isolation focusing on social support outside of the home (neglecting support by family) may lack content validity among Hispanic groups. Culturally sensitive measures of social isolation will be increasingly consequential for future research and health policy to meet the needs of a diverse older population.

Objectives: Understanding the intersection of age, ethnicity, and disability will become increasingly important as the global population ages and becomes more diverse. By 2060, Hispanics will comprise 28% of the U.S. population. This study examines critical associations between sensory impairment, social isolation, and cognitive functioning among Hispanic older adults. Methods: Our sample consisted of 557 Hispanic older adults that participated in Rounds 1-3 or Rounds 5-7 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Longitudinal mediation models across a three-year span were estimated using Mplus with vision, hearing, and dual sensory impairment predicting cognitive functioning directly and indirectly through social isolation. Results: Findings indicated that cognitive functioning was concurrently and, in certain cases, longitudinally predicted by vision and dual sensory impairment, and by social isolation. Contrary to expectations, vision and hearing impairment were not predictive of social isolation. Dual sensory impairment was associated with social isolation, yet no significant indirect associations were found for sensory impairments predicting cognitive functioning through social isolation. Discussion: The finding that social isolation did not mediate the relationship between sensory impairment and cognitive decline among Hispanic older adults in the U.S. is contrary to findings from other studies that were not specifically focused on this population. This finding may be evidence that culturally motivated family support and intergenerational living buffer the impact of sensory impairments in later life. Findings suggest that Hispanic older adults experiencing dual sensory impairments may benefit from interventions that foster social support and include family members.

Background Understanding the intersection of age, ethnicity, and disability will become increasingly important as the U.S. population ages and becomes more diverse. By 2060, Hispanics, the largest ethnic minority, will comprise 28% of the population. Although a heterogeneous group, originating from a variety of countries, Hispanics may share common cultural values. These familistic values may act as a buffer against social isolation and cognitive decline, commonly associated with sensory disabilities including vision, hearing, and dual sensory disabilities. Methods Our sample consisted of 557 Hispanic older adults that participated in the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Longitudinal mediation models across a three-year span were estimated using Mplus with vision, hearing, and dual sensory disabilities predicting cognitive decline directly and indirectly through social isolation. Bootstrapping with 5,000 draws adjusted the standard errors of indirect effects. Results and Discussion: Results suggest that vision disability and dual sensory disability were associated with declines in various cognitive functioning scores. Social isolation was linked with declines in some concurrent and some longitudinal cognitive measures. Although dual sensory disability (i.e., both vision and hearing disability) were linked with social isolation, individual vision or individual hearing disability were not associated with social isolation in this sample. Historically, vision and hearing disabilities have been associated with social isolation, yet in Hispanic cultures, social connections between generations may provide a buffer to this common result of sensory disabilities. Findings from this research suggest that Hispanic older adults experiencing dual sensory disabilities may benefit from interventions that foster social support.

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Evidence suggests a consistent correlation between vision impairments, social isolation, and cognitive decline. The National Eye Institute reports that African Americans have an increased risk of developing certain vision impairments such as cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. At the same time, older African Americans often receive care from family members and this family care may act as a buffer against social isolation and resulting cognitive decline. Using data from 737 African Americans that participated in waves 5, 6, and 7 of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we explored associations between vision impairment, social isolation, and cognitive functioning. Results showed that vision impairment at round 5 was related to increased social isolation, and higher social isolation at round 5 was related to decreased delayed word recall scores at the same wave. No significant longitudinal associations were found between these constructs. Findings suggest that concurrent associations exist between sensory impairments, social isolation, and cognitive functioning, but that these relationships are not robust across time. Despite support provided by unpaid family caregivers, African American older adults with vision impairment are at an increased risk for concurrent social and cognitive challenges. It may be that family support of those with sensory impairments helps so that these impairments aren’t related to social isolation or cognitive functioning across time. Researchers and clinicians could benefit older African Americans with sensory impairments by providing and encouraging support during early stages of vision loss.