Deaf older adults’ experiences of support from a mobile old-age care team providing support in Swedish sign language

TL;DR

A mobile care team using sign language in Sweden helps Deaf older adults with communication, independence, and well-being.

Contribution

The study introduces a mobile care team using sign language to support Deaf older adults, emphasizing cultural understanding of Deafness.

Findings

Deaf older adults appreciated support in everyday activities and communication through sign language.

The care team improved psychosocial well-being and feelings of safety among users.

Sign language support increased participation in decision-making for Deaf older adults.

Abstract

To address communication barriers, minimise social isolation, prevent psychosocial illness and increase the independence of Deaf older adults, a mobile care team consisting of Deaf assistant nurses using sign language was initiated and developed by a nongovernmental organisation in a region in southern Sweden.

To describe Deaf older adults’ experiences receiving support from an NGO-initiated mobile old-age care team for Deaf and sign language-speaking older adults in Sweden.

A series of 15 individual interviews with four Deaf older adults were analysed via content analysis.

Support from the mobile care team was appreciated, as illustrated by the following categories: support in everyday activities, communication supported and enabled and support for psychosocial well-being. The care team facilitated communication using sign language. For example, they enabled in-depth communication and information sharing and supported older adults in expressing opinions and thoughts to authorities and regular care staff. Increased communication supported psychosocial well-being, independence, and feelings of safety.

A sign language mobile care team that is well familiar with Deafness as a culture rather than a hearing disability is highly valued by Deaf older adults in need of home or residential care later in life. It also shows that access to a sign language mobile care team leads to increased psychological wellbeing and happiness among Deaf older adults, as well as to their increased participation in decision-making concerning various aspects of their lives.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-025-06675-1.