Most people don’t lose their sight or their hearing as they age. Sometimes, we choose to miss out. Sometimes, we don’t know what we are missing. And sometimes we would just like to be left alone.
Unfortunately, there is still so much to life and we have the medical knowledge to fix what you are missing. Let’s explore these two areas so you might move forward to gain the joy and happiness that comes with our sights and sounds.
Vision loss…
For most people, vision loss is a very gradual process, so seniors (and their family members) may not be aware of how compromised their eyesight has become. Caregivers can help keep tabs on a loved one’s vision by looking for an increase in:
- Squinting or tilting their head when trying to focus.
- Bumping into things or knocking objects over.
- Discontinuing everyday vision-based activities like reading or writing.
- Missing objects when reaching for them.
- Falling or walking hesitantly.
Eye diseases like macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can have a significant impact on a senior’s functional abilities and quality of life. For some, impaired vision may even result in depression, withdrawal and inactivity.
How to be safe if vision is lost
Ensuring proper lighting is crucial for the safety and well-being of seniors, particularly those with visual impairments. Here's why good lighting is key and how you can optimize it:
Mind the Glare: Keep surroundings well-lit but be mindful of glare. Specialized lamps and bulbs can increase contrast and reduce glare, while covering reflective surfaces helps minimize distractions.
Task-Specific Lighting: Different activities require different lighting. Direct task lighting, such as gooseneck or clip-on lamps, is ideal for activities like reading, playing cards, or crafting. Under-counter lighting works well for illuminating larger work areas like the kitchen.
Consistent Lighting Levels: Avoid large discrepancies in lighting, such as a bright lamp in a dark room. As task lighting increases, ensure surrounding room lighting also increases. Keeping lights on during daytime hours helps equalize lighting from indoor and outdoor sources.
Fall Prevention: Minimize fall risks by using nightlights in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. Eliminate clutter and hazards like throw rugs and electrical cords. Create clear walking paths throughout the home, considering the needs of seniors, especially those with memory issues.
Household Organization: Designate spots for commonly used items and maintain consistency in placement. Using tactile and visual systems, like rubber bands or colored stickers, aids seniors in navigating their environment effectively.
Contrasting Colors: Contrast between light and dark colors aids in distinguishing objects and surroundings. Utilize contrasting colors in everyday items like cutting boards and bathroom accessories to promote safety and independence.
Magnification Devices: Magnification is essential for seniors with low vision. From simple magnifiers to advanced electronic units, these devices assist in tasks ranging from reading to intricate activities like filling an insulin syringe.
Low Vision Specialists: If you have never been to one of these folks you are so!!! missing out! I culd not beleive how much stuff they had for my mom and her macular degenration. Work with low vision specialists who can provide personalized solutions and vision rehabilitation. They offer expertise in mobility training, organization techniques, and access to low vision aids, along with mental health support for coping with vision loss.
Provide Support: Encourage seniors to remain active and engaged in activities they enjoy. Offer assistance and companionship when needed, and foster open communication about any challenges or symptoms they may experience.
Hearing loss…
Alright, let's talk about hearing loss—something that affects a lot of us as we get older. In fact, about 20 percent, or 45 million, of American adults say they've got some degree of hearing loss. And guess what? The older you get, the more likely it is that you'll have some trouble hearing. Nearly half but not quite, of all Americans over 65 are dealing with some level of hearing impairment.
Now, hearing loss comes in all shapes and sizes. It can range from missing out on certain high-pitched sounds, like women and children's voices, to a total loss of hearing altogether. It can be something you inherit, or it can creep up on you from things like disease, injuries, certain meds, or just being around loud noises for too long.
One common type is presbycusis, which is just a fancy word for the kind of hearing loss that happens as you get older. It's like your ears saying, "Hey, I've been around a while, and I'm not as spry as I used to be." This type can happen because of all sorts of stuff, like changes in your inner ear, nerve issues, or even just good ol' aging.
Now, tinnitus—that ringing or buzzing sound in your ears—is also pretty common, especially in older folks. It's like your ears are trying to play a prank on you, but it's not so funny when it sticks around all the time. Sometimes it's from being around loud noises, other times it could be a sign of other health problems, like allergies or heart issues.
When it comes to hearing loss, there are two main types to watch out for. Sensorineural hearing loss is when there's damage to your inner ear or auditory nerve. It's like your ears are saying, "Sorry, we're closed for business—permanently." Then there's conductive hearing loss, where the sound waves just can't make it to your inner ear. Maybe there's too much earwax, fluid, or even a little hole in your eardrum causing trouble. The good news is, this type can often be fixed with medical or surgical treatment.
Do you see any of these in your life?
Now, if you're wondering whether you or your loved one might need to get those ears checked out, here's a quick quiz to help you out. If you answer "yes" to three or more of these questions, it might be a good idea to chat with a medical pro about your hearing:
- Do you struggle to hear on the telephone?
- Is it tough to hear when there's background noise?
- Do you find it hard to follow conversations with multiple people talking at once?
- Do you have to really focus to understand what's being said?
- Do people seem to mumble or not speak clearly to you?
- Do you often misunderstand what others are saying and respond in the wrong way?
- Do you ask people to repeat themselves a lot?
- Do you struggle to understand women's and children's voices?
- Do people complain that you blast the TV volume too high?
- Do you hear a constant ringing, roaring, or hissing sound in your ears?
- Do certain sounds seem way too loud for you?
- If you're nodding along to three or more of these, it might be time to get those ears checked. Better safe than sorry, right?
OK. It's a pain to grab cheaters, or not hear our phones or even see menus in dark restuarants, but we have eye doctors and hearing specialists who can keep up going.
And please do not forget the Library of Congress with all the talking books you could ask for. It's all free!
