Effects of sensory difficulties on healthcare expenditure among community-dwelling older adults

Background/Purpose: Prevalence of sensory difficulties increases dramatically with age, with vision and hearing difficulties being most common among older adults. This study examined healthcare expenditures associated with the development of sensory difficulties among older adults. 

Methods: Five-panels of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data from 2007 to 2012 were used for the study. Community-dwelling older adults aged 65+ who reported no sensory disabilities in Year 1 were followed over a two-year period. Two-part models were used to examine the relationship between the incidence of sensory difficulties and healthcare expenditures related to office-based visits, hospital outpatient services, ER services, hospital inpatient services, and other medical equipment/supplies. Results were adjusted for predisposing, enabling and health needs factors. 

Results/Outcomes: A total of 5,856 older adults met the inclusion criteria and 734 (12.5%) reported sensory difficulties in the Year 2. Older adults who reported sensory difficulties in Year 2 were more likely to have higher healthcare utilization than those who did not. Additionally, those who reported sensory difficulties in Year 2 were more likely to spend more on office-based visit and other medical equipment/supplies. Multivariate analyses results revealed higher total expenditures (17%, p=0.011), higher office-based visits expenditures (23%, p=0.004), and higher other medical equipment or supplies (33%, p=0.004) for persons who developed sensory disabilities in Year 2. 

Conclusion: Older adults reported sensory difficulties in Year 2 had significantly higher utilization and expenditures in some services. Future studies should examine the expenditures to better inform public health interventions.