Abstract
Objective
Older adults with vision impairment experience high rates of mental health problems, but very few access psychological support. We investigated community and stakeholder perspectives of the barriers and facilitators to participation in mental well-being programs for older adults with vision impairment.
Methods
Adults aged ≥ 50 years with vision impairment (community) were recruited from the client database, and low vision rehabilitation (LVR) professionals (stakeholders) from staff of a LVR provider. Participants completed one-on-one semi-structured interviews, which were designed and analyzed using behavior change theory.
Results
Twenty-nine participants were interviewed; 16 community members and 13 stakeholders. Both groups cited mental health problems as a major concern, with many stakeholders reporting the grief and distress associated with vision loss experienced by their clients as having a negative impact on their mental and physical health. Major barriers to participation in mental well-being programs included a lack of awareness and difficulties accessing such programs, with stakeholders adding that their clients’ lack of insight into their own mental health problems may reduce motivation to participate. Facilitators to participation in programs included the appeal of social interaction and inspirational speakers. An appropriate intervention could overcome these barriers, or enhance participation through education, persuasion, incentivisation, modeling, environmental restructuring, training, and enablement.
Conclusions
While barriers were discussed more than facilitators to participation, there was general support for mental well-being programs. This study provides guidance from stakeholders for the development of mental well-being programs to address mental health problems in the growing number of older adults with vision impairment.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge students Rachel Muyco and Aimee Wassermann for conducting many of the semi-structured interviews along with DT. We would also like to acknowledge Kerrie Ren for her assistance with study administration, as well as Guide Dogs NSW/ACT.
Funding
This research was funded by the UNSW Sydney-University of Sydney: Mental Health and Wellbeing—Early Intervention and Prevention (Older People) Seed Funding Scheme.
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Dillon, L., Tang, D., Liew, G. et al. Facilitators and barriers to participation in mental well-being programs by older Australians with vision impairment: community and stakeholder perspectives. Eye 34, 1287–1295 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-020-0992-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-020-0992-z
