 Seniors are no different than the rest of the world. Young and old alike, we love to hear and be heard. It can be challenging when there are so many factors that can fight against those two needs. It takes a ton of work and intentionality to make sure that our seniors are truly being listened to, and that we're actually hearing and processing what they are saying to us!
There are lots of obvious hindrances to good communication. It's a simple fact that as most people age, they begin to have various types of hearing problems. There could be loss of hearing in one or both ears, diminished hearing that is being supplemented with hearing aids, or a condition like tinnitus that produces ringing sounds, whistle noises or pulses in the ear to the senior. All of these contribute to the problem with clear and effective communication. Others might have had a history of chronic exposure to loud noises, causing damage to the ear drum. Many seniors struggle with keeping their ears clean, leading to a build up of excessive earwax, and increasing the chance of ear infections. Signs and symptoms of hearing loss may include one or more of the following:
In some instances it may be the "talker" or the "listener" who are the problem. If those talking are not speaking clearly, or not facing the individual while talking to them it makes it difficult for the listener to hear or understand. In other situations, either a chronic condition like autoimmune ear disease, acoustic neruoma or physical injury to the head could cause hearing loss. In addition, there are some medications like ototoxic meds that can contribute to hearing difficulties. Whatever the causes or causes of hearing loss, it is a frustrating issue for everyone involved. Take these simple steps to help diminish the effects of hearing loss.
Communication Matters, it really does! Do everything you can to help your senior stay connected to you and others by addressing any hearing problems in thorough, loving and practical ways!
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 As we age, many times those things which were easy or mundane might become difficult or unsafe for us to do. Driving is one such task. Lots of seniors began driving a car even before they were of legal age, so they might have 50, 60 or even 70 years experience in driving!
Many factors may contribute to whether or not the senior needs to continue to drive or drive alone. Among those are: * Worsening Vision- cataracts, poor night vision or glaucoma may have diminished their ability to safely navigate. * Diminished Reflexes- As we age, our ability to process and react to the situations around us can slow or greatly diminish. This could lead to accidents that might damage property or people. * Memory Issues- Memory loss is natural as we age, but for individuals with conditions like Alzheimer's, dementia, Parkinson's and other similar conditions might become disoriented. As a result, they may forget locations or directions to places they have travelled to for years, up to and including their own homes. * Physical deterioration- Not only their vision issues, but also issues like stamina, joint pain, arthritis in their hands, hips or shoulders, and back pain can make something as simple as driving to the grocery store a dangerous venture. So what are caregivers supposed to do when their elderly parent or loved one insists on driving, and yet we know it's not a safe or good idea? Here are a few suggestions to consider. First, have a talk with someone in their life who represents authority, someone they respect. This might be their primary care physician, an attorney, a pastor or close friend of theirs. Many times when the same advice that was given by family comes from someone they consider to be an "authority", the individual will accept the counsel and act on it. Share your concerns with the authority figure, and ask if they would be willing to intervene. Next, offer to do the driving for them. It could be that their hesitancy to "giving up the keys" is rooted in a fear that if they do, then they will be homebound, and at the mercy of others for their transportation needs. If you are initiating the offers to drive them to church, the store or to the park, then you might find the transition from driver to non-driver is easier for your senior to accept. Consider hiring a caregiver to drive them, or run errands for them. Families who find themselves in the "Sandwich Generation", stuck between caring for ailing parents while still meeting the needs of their own spouse and children can find relief by enlisting the aid of a home care company. There are many reputable companies who can provide qualified and safe drivers to transport your loved one. A slightly more drastic measure might simply be to take the keys or remove the car from the premises. This can be a dangerous approach. If the car is titled in the name of the senior, and it is taken against their will, they are within their legal rights to report it stolen... and some have done just that! As a last resort, the family may have to take legal action to become a guardian. If awarded the guardianship, the guardian has the legal ability to prevent the senior from driving by taking the car keys away, or selling the car. This action should only be taken after all other avenues have been tried, as it can cause serious relationship and trust issues in the future. Whatever you decide to do, communicate a lot about this issue with other family members, care professionals and your loved one. It's best if this decision is reached as a group decision, rather than an unpopular or disagreeable decision for the loved one involved. Driving matters, and so does safety. Talk it out, brainstorm your options, and determine how quickly decisions have to be made. When that time comes, move decisively and lovingly. You'll be glad you did! Page Cole Agency Director/Dealer in Hope Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC  It is an real but sometimes unpleasant fact of life. As we age many of the things we were able to accomplish with ease in years past have now become more difficult. Everything from opening a jar to remembering where we parked the car or stored a special item is more of a challenge than it used to be!
Recently I co-authored a book with the directors of Visiting Angels of Tulsa, Visiting Angels of Bartlesville and Visiting Angels of SWOKC called "Life Hacks for Seniors: Tips and Tricks for Older Americans!" This book is chocked full of fun and creative ideas to make the lives of the seniors we care for a little easier to navigate. There are sections that focus on the unique challenges of dealing with a senior who has Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. There are also sections on Dressing Hacks, Exercise Hacks, Health Hacks, Kitchen Help Hacks, Memory Issue Hacks, Bathing/Toileting Hacks and a large section on Miscellaneous Life Hacks! These tricks and tips are simple, easy to do and/or explain and promise to make the life and activities of your wonderful senior less stressful! For the caregiver who is working as a CNA, Home Health Aide or personal caregiver this book can be an invaluable tool. The simple and fun techniques contained within this resource will create less challenging ways for dealing with the natural consequences that come from aging. As a bonus, the tips in this resource are fun too! You can click on the link below to order the resource from Amazon. If you enjoy it, we are happy to have made your life as a caregiver better, and to have increased the quality of life for your wonderful senior! As you discover new tips or tricks, pass those along to other caregivers to help them out! CLICK HERE TO ORDER THIS RESOURCE! Page Cole Visiting Angels of Tulsa Visiting Angels of Bartlesville Visiting Angels of SWOKC |
AuthorPage Cole is a leader in home care in Oklahoma. He has published the following resources for Seniors- Archives
February 2022
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