Associated with poorer health status and higher consumption of health care services, perceived loneliness is a challenge to treat. Hearing aid use appears to be a buffer against the experience of loneliness.

In patients 75 years and older, nonadherence with oral bisphosphonates can be associated with significantly greater short-term risk of osteoporotic fractures and higher utilization of health care services.

Osteoporosis-related fractures at the spine and hip have a substantial impact on mortality, morbidity, and quality of life in older adults worldwide. Adherence to bisphosphonates is essential for effective treatment and fracture prevention. Nevertheless, numerous studies from various populations and study designs clearly indicated that adherence and persistence are poor with more than 50% of patients discontinuing therapy within one year. This is primarily explained by mild adverse effects, dosing regimens, and costs. Studies have also shown that good adherence is associated with reduced osteoporosis-related and non-related healthcare costs as soon as 2 years from therapy initiation. Nonetheless, we found only little improvement in adherence rates over the years. In light of the importance of medication adherence and the limited success of previous programs, other than reducing dosing frequency, new directions should be explored to engage patients and care givers in order to improve adherence and prevent fractures.

Perceived social support may be a relevant factor to focus on in auditory rehabilitation programs, in particular, for participants who communicate little support in hearing-related situations and are, hence, at a relative disadvantage. The involvement of significant others in counseling could facilitate the everyday life for older adults with age-related hearing loss and their significant others.

No abstract