To Örebro University

Purpose: To describe the rehabilitation service experiences of older adults with dual sensoryloss (DSL).

Methods: Twenty older adults aged ≥65 years with DSL participated in semistructuredinterviews. Inductive qualitative content analysis was conducted.

Results: The participants’ experiences were classified into three main categories: 1.Maintaining and regaining function included experiences regarding interventions compensat-ing for loss of function and medical corrections; 2. Mastering the situation described theindividuals’ competence of DSL, skills acquisition and taking control; and 3. Delivery ofrehabilitation services included experiences of encounters with professionals, their attitudesand the organizational impact on accessibility and collaboration.

Conclusions: It was important for participants to regain function and compensate for loss infunction and to meet others in group rehabilitation. The professionals’ attitudes were animportant factor that affected the participants’ approach to rehabilitation services.Rehabilitation services mainly focused on either VL or HL, not DSL. Based on the participants’experiences, the rehabilitation services seemed to contribute to the older adults’ well-being,participation in activities and life roles, which is consistent with the WHO’s definition ofhealthy ageing. The findings can contribute to the development of rehabilitation services forolder adults with DSL to meet the diversity of these individuals’ needs.