biostudies-literatureUnknownXu SNEI NIH HHSNational Eye InstituteNIA NIH HHSNational Institute on AgingObjectivesSensory loss is associated with increased dementia risk, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This longitudinal study examined the association between self-reported sensory difficulty (vision, hearing, dual), social and physical activity, and dementia risk among older U.S. adults.MethodsData were drawn from the 2015-2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study (<i>N</i> = 6,295). Discrete-time survival mediation models with a structural equation modeling-based approach were estimated to examine the associations.ResultsDementia incidence was highest among those with dual sensory difficulty (21.8%), followed by visual (18.8%) and hearing (13.2%) difficulties. Visual difficulty and dual sensory difficulty were associated with decreased social activities and incident dementiaJournal of aging and health8982643251364364https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12911503biostudies-literatureSensory Difficulty, Social and Physical Activity, and Dementia Risk Among Older Adults.PMC12911503R61 AG089063R01 EY034479R01EY034479R61AG089063Song QEhrlich JRXu SBurr JAfalseSensory Difficulty, Social and Physical Activity, and Dementia Risk Among Older Adults.ObjectivesSensory loss is associated with increased dementia risk, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This longitudinal study examined the association between self-reported sensory difficulty (vision, hearing, dual), social and physical activity, and dementia risk among older U.S. adults.MethodsData were drawn from the 2015-2020 National Health and Aging Trends Study (<i>N</i> = 6,295). Discrete-time survival mediation models with a structural equation modeling-based approach were estimated to examine the associations.ResultsDementia incidence was highest among those with dual sensory difficulty (21.8%), followed by visual (18.8%) and hearing (13.2%) difficulties. Visual difficulty and dual sensory difficulty were associated with decreased social activities and incident dementia2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Aug2026-07-16T00:41:05.772Z2026-07-09T10:26:04.348ZS-EPMC129115034074780810.1177/08982643251364364