SENSE-Cog Residential Care: piloting hearing and vision support for dementia in long-term care

Abstract Hearing and vision loss is common among people with dementia (PwD) in long-term care (LTC), affecting quality of life and dementia-related outcomes. Up to 90% of PwD in LTC have hearing loss and over 40% vision loss, yet detection and management are often inadequate. Staff often lack training, environments may be ‘sensory unfriendly’, and trial evidence is limited. The SENSE-Cog Residential Care pilot trial evaluated the feasibility of a structured sensory intervention and its potential for a future definitive trial. This cluster-randomised feasibility study was conducted across nine LTC facilities in Ireland, randomised to care as usual or an intervention comprising personalised sensory support, staff training, environmental audit, and mapping sensory care provision. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, uptake, safety, and data collection. Potential efficacy outcomes included quality of life, cognition, frailty, comorbidity, behavioural symptoms, and sensory health. Of 10 invited facilities, 9 participated, recruiting 27 PwD within 2 months; 26 remained at 3 months. Twelve residents received sensory assessments, leading to 12 glasses, 4 hearing aids, and 6 listening devices. Training was delivered to 42 staff, including sensory champions, and was rated highly acceptable. At follow-up, 67% wore glasses, 75% used hearing aids, and 17% used listening devices. Findings support progression to a full-scale RCT. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN14462472. Registered 24 February 2022, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14462472 .