A
common issue for many of our elderly generation is suffering from hearing loss.
Oftentimes you try talking to them and their response is ‘What?!’. Though such
situation is extremely common, the underlying reasons behind it vary.
Hearing loss in elderly people is becoming rising phenomenon
nowadays. Causes of hearing loss in the elderly might arise from factors like
depression, quality of life, increasing reliability, social isolation, etc.
Caring for people suffering from hearing
loss due to aging requires a very specific skill set or expertise.
Here’s
a to-do list for people looking for a comprehensive guidance on caring for elderly
people with hearing loss.
Cognitive Testing for elderly
Cognitive
testing for elderly people can be useful in treating hearing loss in elderly but it is very tricky at the same time.
Because clinically validated measurements are scarce. Mainly, 2 validated tests named
Mini-Cognitive Assessment Instrument (Mini-Cog) and the Mini-Mental State
Examination (MMSE) are used in this regard. The accuracy of these two measurements
can be challenged. But an overall idea about the person’s mental state can be
retrieved.
There
are some checks and balances the caregiver must go through before these
cognitive tests. It is very important to confirm that appropriate communication
strategies and proper hearing amplification (if that is an option) are out in
place. If there is a dip in clinician-patient communication, test scores can be
distorted. Sign languages can be used in
case of other complications.
Address the communication gap
Treating
elder people with hearing disabilities first requires addressing the
communication gaps. Addressing the communication gap for elderly people should
be done strategically. People who are treating hearing loss in elderly should flag different chart records.
Hearing
loss can be stressful situation for elderly people. So, it’s of utmost
importance to remain supportive and compassionate. Also, talking in a noisy
ambiance or in unclear voice can increase their stress and make them feel
frustrated.
Different
communication strategies might be documented. Eye contact should be frequent
and converse with elderly people at a normal pace. Visual aids can be
incorporated to further ease the communication gap.
Long term care for the elderly
Hearing impairment due to old age can sometimes require long term
care. The caregiver should be very prudent to select the place for giving
long-term care to the elderly. Due diligence should be done before choosing the
facility for elderly people.
Easy
accessibility of required resources is very important to choose the appropriate
facility. Profiling the other people in the setting and categorizing them based
on the needs are also important criteria to choose the facility.
The
prevalence of hearing loss in elderly people
is growing day by day. While handling the elderly having hearing problems, the
caregiver should be very sensible. Treating them like a normal person in need
of an hour. Encouraging and engaging elderly people to take part in different
activities can ameliorate the hearing
problems in the elderly.
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