Do You Hear What I Hear?
By Gary Barg | Editor-in-Chief, Today’s Caregiver magazine
For any professional or family caregiver, hearing loss has become an increasingly important healthcare issue. The nation’s 79 million baby boomers began turning age 65 last year and as we age, the senses become less reliable with some of the most dramatic changes affecting hearing. A recent Johns Hopkins study reported that the more severe the hearing loss, the stronger the association of cognitive decline or onset of dementia.
These facts are of special significance to professional caregivers such as Social Workers or Geriatric Care Managers since hearing loss can lead to social isolation, which is a major health challenge facing many seniors and senior caregivers. The less they are able to hear in person or even in telephone conversations, the more they tend to isolate themselves from others. Isolation has been linked to depression and an increased risk of death from conditions like heart disease.
Unfortunately, many seniors will not tell their professional or family caregivers of any hearing loss onset for fear of losing independence. Instead, they become isolated, depressed, angry, lonely, frustrated and even physically ill.
This is why Today’s Caregiver magazine is happy to announce a complimentary webinar:
Best Practices Hearing Health Webinar January 10th from 11:30 to 12:30 pacific time.
Complimentary space is limited. Register online at caregiver.com for this no-cost Webinar or call 800-829-2734 extension: 120
The Webinar will detail issues such as how to recognize and treat hearing loss, talk with your clients and loved ones about hearing loss, determine the best technological solutions, understand the importance of hearing health for your clients’ overall health and well-being. The session is also filled with hands-on tips to increase communication.
The Webinar is led by Jim Rollins, BC-HIS, a hearing health expert for over 12 years. Jim is a Board Certified Hearing Instrument Specialist and has held leading positions with manufacturers including Sonic Innovations, Siemens Hearing Instruments and Beltone Electronics.
Supporting senior clients living with hearing loss is an important and beneficial care option for any professional caregiver to learn about, as well as good medicine for senior clients and their family caregivers.
The Webinar, sponsored by Today’s Caregiver magazine is important for any professional or family caregiver to attend and all are welcome.
