# 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.

## Key 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.