An epidemiological profile of communication disability among older adults with complex needs: A national cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Research on the prevalence of communication disability among community living older adults is scant, and often suffers from limitations. Using a national database, this study presents an epidemiological profile of communication disability in older community residents within New Zealand and examines whether ethnic populations are disproportionately represented.

METHOD: Since 2012, all New Zealand community care recipients have undergone a standardised needs assessment, which includes questions directed at expressive and receptive language abilities. Those assessed between 1 September 2012 and 31 January 2016, aged ≥65 years, and who provided consent were included. Directly standardised prevalence estimates were calculated and logistic regression used to investigate age, sex and ethnic differences.

RESULT: Overall, 71 859 people were eligible (mean age = 82.7 years, 61% female, 89.2% European/other), with 30.6% and 36.2% exhibiting at least some expression and comprehension communication disability, respectively. Māori, Pasifika and Asian people, males and those who were older were more likely to have at least some communication disability compared to their European/other, female and younger counterparts.

CONCLUSION: Communication disability is common among older adults. With the increased provision of home-based integrated models of care, the impact of communication disability on service seeking and delivery must be recognised and accommodated.