Have you had to converse more loudly lately? Are you finding the need to turn the television up louder for an older adult you love? Repeating yourself after the senior loved one missed hearing the first time? It’s not uncommon for seniors to experience hearing loss. But emerging studies are revealing how treating hearing loss is even more important than you may realize, as it can even reduce the risk for dementia.
How Hearing and Cognitive Functioning Are Linked
There are a variety of hypotheses researchers are investigating to explain the connection between hearing loss and dementia:
Finding the cause of this connection and determining if treating hearing loss can help is vital. The amount of people who may be impacted is astonishing, with as many as 37.5 million Americans currently going through some amount of hearing loss.
As of now, we know that seniors with hearing loss experience a decline in cognitive functioning at a rate of 30 – 40% faster than those with normal hearing. Not only this, but hearing loss escalates the risk for other health issues, such as falls and depression.
The good news is that medical researchers at Johns Hopkins are presently trying to determine if treating hearing loss might actually minimize brain aging and prevent dementia. A study of almost 1,000 older adults with hearing loss is underway, and by as early as next year, we will have the information required for a path forward.
If an aging adult in your life struggles with hearing loss, encourage them to get a checkup and to wear hearing aids if recommended by the doctor. Help at Home’s professional senior care providers can even provide transportation for that checkup if needed.
In addition, we have dementia care specialists that are always prepared to assist individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia to stay safe, comfortable, and engaged in meaningful and enjoyable activities. We can also assist with more effectively managing some of the challenging behaviors associated with dementia, such as aggression, agitation, wandering, sundowning, and much more.
Just connect with us any time online or at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about how we can help older adults live healthier lives at home with our dementia care in Lincoln, CA and the surrounding areas. We offer a free of cost in-home consultation to answer all of your questions and to develop a personalized plan of care to best meet your needs.
Nowadays, music is more available than ever before. For those who carry smartphones or tablets with them wherever they go, hundreds of thousands – if not tens of millions of songs – are merely a few taps or finger swipes away. If you're a caregiver for an older adult, your smartphone may become one of the most practical tools in your possession when you learn about the benefits of music for seniors. This viral video clip from the Alive Inside documentary shows just how incredibly effective music can be for older adults with restricted capabilities and dementia.
With massive musical libraries readily available from places like iTunes, Pandora, Amazon Music, Spotify, and plenty of others, we can now find music, in many cases at no charge, in a variety of genres in mere seconds. Caregivers can find out what kinds of music the older adult liked earlier in his or her lifetime. The music a senior prefers may be related to a particular period of time, such as Big Band music, or it might be unique to his or her religious beliefs, such as gospel or hymns, for example. The type of music enjoyed throughout one’s life might also hinge on the person’s ethnic background – like those who prefer reggae or salsa. The senior may also have enjoyed classic favorites like jazz, blues, classical, country, and so forth. No matter the musical preference, access to music could have amazing advantages.
Did you ever listen to a song on the radio and have it transport you back to a specific time in your life? Research has uncovered that music is clearly linked to personal memories. The human brain is actually hard-wired to link music with long-term memories. This is the case even for those with moderate to severe dementia.
Music & Memory is a non-profit organization that brings personalized music into the lives of seniors through digital music technology, greatly improving quality of life. The staff at Music & Memory train caregivers for seniors and family members on how to develop and use individualized playlists with digital devices to allow older adults who have dementia and other challenges to reconnect with the world through memories from music.
Research has also uncovered that hearing music that is familiar and well-loved can assist in reducing anxiety levels and increase focus on the present timeframe, which in turn helps the elderly with dementia to connect to those around them.
At Help at Home Senior Care, our objective is always to enhance the quality of life for seniors through our creative dementia home care services and support. And, we go the extra mile when it comes to the small things that can bring joy to the days of those we serve – such as through music and other creative activities. Call us today at (530) 885-7444 to learn more about our in-home care in Roseville, CA and nearby areas.
