Project report. “Hello… I’m Here!” A co-productive qualitative study involving older people with vision impairment and their experiences of acute hospital care.

This project aimed to understand the experience and care needs of older people living with vision impairment in the acute hospital setting. The report of a participative qualitative study using co-productive user-based design is included, in addition to the transcripts from each of the workshops described.

Methods: Seven older people living with vision impairment and six healthcare students collaborated in a series of six researcher facilitated co-productive workshops. Recorded data was analysed using thematic analysis. 

Results:  The needs of older people with vision impairment are often overlooked in the acute hospital setting.  Four themes identified (1) Trauma and Loss; (2) Vulnerability and Feeling Invisible; (3) Being disabled, and (4) Feeling safe.  Trauma associated with vision loss was acute, particularly if acquired during the hospital admission. The experience of vision impairment coupled with illness served to heighten feelings of vulnerability and needs were often overlooked creating a sense of invisibility.  The hospital environment was experienced as disabling, and care needs were not always acknowledged. Supportive communications and access to own audio/supportive devices were vital in supporting a sense of safety.  

Conclusion:  Our findings indicate that the needs of vision impaired older people are often overlooked in the acute setting with negative impacts on wellbeing and quality of life.  Our study is significant in highlighting the increasing global importance of vision aware care in the context of an ageing population.  The study is also unique in illustrating the potential for inclusive and creative co-productive approaches which engage both older people with sight loss and healthcare students to promote vision aware practice. In sum, supporting vision impaired older people through admission, diagnosis, care and discharge is vital for promoting equitable positive health outcomes and quality of life.