Statistics suggest one-third of adults between 65 and 75 years old experience hearing loss. Approximately half of those beyond the age of 75 are also afflicted. Hearing loss impacts the lives of the elderly in a variety of ways.
Isolation
A group of scientists from Sweden followed the lifestyles of 400 adults aged 80 and older. The researchers were interested in learning how the aging process affected the seniors’ mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing in addition to personality changes. The study spanned six years. Every two years, the researchers reevaluated the seniors for potential differences in their overall health. They found that some of the participants were progressively becoming more withdrawn. After thoroughly assessing them for possible causes, the scientists determined the affected seniors were experiencing hearing loss.
Hearing-impaired seniors don’t quite fit into society. They easily fall through the cracks between people who have no hearing deficits and those who are totally deaf. Healthy hearing adults can communicate with anyone at any time. Deaf people have their own culture that includes sign language, which they use to communicate with other deaf people or hearing people who know the language. While there are various treatments for older adults with diminished hearing, they often deny they have an impairment due to embarrassment. You might notice your senior loved one seems to seclude him or herself more frequently than normal. If you sense a possible problem, intervene on behalf of your parent and encourage him or her to seek help.
A professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support and companionship for your loved one. Some seniors only require help with a few daily tasks so they can maintain their independence. However, those living with serious illnesses may need more extensive assistance. Luckily, there is professional live-in care Edmonton, AB, seniors can rely on. Home can be a safer and more comfortable place for your loved one to live with the help of an expertly trained and dedicated live-in caregiver.
Depression
The negative feelings and subsequent self-imposed isolation that hearing-impaired seniors often experience may lead to depression. Older adults living with hearing loss may feel socially unacceptable and ashamed of the inability to understand conversations. To escape awkward social moments and negative feelings associated with public interaction, they retreat into themselves. However, the negativity doesn’t fade, as they become saddened over the loss of being able to enjoy two-way communication.
Even after receiving hearing aids that effectively resolve the problem, some seniors continue feeling shame and embarrassment. Wearing hearing aids in public makes their disability visible. They may refuse to wear the assistive devices in public for fear of how they appear to other people, or they might fear being discriminated against or misunderstood secondary to the hearing loss.
For your loved one’s long-term needs—including companionship—consider hiring a professional caregiver. If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care service families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
Behavioural Changes
When seniors lose the ability to hear the world around them, their brains respond in unusual ways. Older adults with hearing loss have been known to exhibit confusion. They might also act bored, have difficulty concentrating, or become distant. Their thought processes may seem skewed as a result of attempting to piece together limited information from their surroundings. Seniors displaying unusual behaviour must be evaluated by healthcare providers to rule out possible causes.
Hearing loss is a common occurrence in aging adults, but it doesn’t have to keep them from enjoying the things they love and spending their golden years in the safety and comfort of home. Seniors can face a variety of challenges as they age, many of which can be mitigated with the help of professional in-home caregivers who provide high-quality senior home care. Edmonton families trust Home Care Assistance to help their elderly loved ones age in place safely and comfortably. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today at (780) 490-7337.