Multisensory impairment in older Canadians: an analysis of the CLSA

A retrospective cohort study will be performed using baseline and 3-year follow up data provided by participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), who are aged 45-85 years at baseline. In three sub-studies, we will: 1.) Analyze the prevalence and incidence of having multisensory impairments (i.e., hearing, vision, smell, taste and balance impairment); 2. Determine if different types of sensory impairments are associated with a.) cognitive decline; b.) falls; c.) social isolation; and d.) risk of depression; and 3. Determine if an impairment in one sensory modality predicts impairments in others.