Can digital communication protect against depression for older adults with hearing and vision impairment during COVID-19?


 
 
 During social isolation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults with impaired hearing and vision potentially experienced more communication challenges, increasing their risk for poor mental health. Digital communication (e.g. video calls, email/text/social media) may alleviate in-person isolation and protect against depression. We addressed this question using data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, a nationally representative panel study of community-dwelling older adults.
 
 
 
 2558 adults aged 55+ comprised the analytic sample. Interviewer rating at baseline (2015-16) classified those with vision impairment (VI) or hearing impairment (HI). Olfactory impairment (OI) was measured by objective testing. During COVID-19 (2020-21), respondents reported how often they contacted non-household family or friends and whether this was by phone, email/text/social media, video, or in-person. They also quantified frequency of depressive feelings.
 
 
 
 Older adults with VI or HI but not OI at baseline were significantly less likely to report regular use of video calling and email/text/social media during the pandemic compared to those without impairment. Sensory impairments did not affect frequency of phone or in-person communication. Adults with VI or HI were more likely to experience frequent depressive feelings during COVID. Video calls mitigated this negative effect of VI- and HI-associated depressive feelings in a dose-dependent manner.
 
 
 
 Among communication modalities, video calling had a protective effect against depressive feelings for people with sensory impairment during social isolation. Improving access to and usability of video communication for older adults with sensory impairment could be a strategy to improve their mental health.
