For the nearly 2/3 of adults over 70 years old with hearing loss 1 , trying to understand speech in a noisy environment can be difficult and may lead to social withdrawal. 2,3 Given the importance of social engagement to healthy aging 4 , enhancing communication for adults is important. The Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a comprehensive healthcare program for adults who are ≥ 55 years, nursing home eligible, and living in the community at time of enrollment. This setting is ideal for exploring the functional impact of hearing loss on a group of older adults and staff due to the holistic approach to care, which includes meals, social activities, and recreation therapy. The goal of this qualitative study was to evaluate the hearing loss burden and communication needs of participants and staff at the Day Health Center (DHC) in order to develop a meaningful staff training and communication intervention that addressed the group needs-both observed and expressed. Methods Focus Groups.Three focus groups were offered to all DHC staff (n=63). Fourteen staff members, including but not limited to medical technicians, recreation, transportation, and rehabilitatists,
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