Effective Communication Is Vital
In Catered and Assistive Living Facilities

Persons who have put off the decision regarding their need to change living environments as a result of poor health, restricted mobility or reduced memory function are the same individuals who have, for a long time, ignored the changes in their hearing ability.

Heading loss due to aging usually occurs gradually over time, and can go unnoticed and unaddressed.

If a person lives alone in a home, stops driving, reduces attendance at activities outside the home, limits the number of visitors into the home and is battling illness, this person may not actually be aware of the reduction in hearing ability unless family members mention it.

Such individuals have effectively reduced their daily amount of "NORMAL COMMUNICATION ACTIVITY" to such a low level that denial of hearing loss is actually reasonable. They no longer claim that people mumble, no one is with them.

They are unaware of how loud the radio or TV is turned up because there are no immediate persons complaining. They are unaware of how soft the daily environment sounds are in their home. How important is it to hear water running in the sink, to hear the toaster pop up or the washing machine completing its cycle?

ONE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGES!!!

The decision is made to move from the home to catered or assisted living. This is a very upsetting time if a person has not made this a positive decision.

The home is cleaned out; belongings are distributed to family, sold and/or discarded. A house full of memories must be paired down to a room full of necessities.

DAY ONE for Mrs. Johnson in the new housing environment: three meals are eaten in the dining room with three other persons at the table, all who have something to say. The activities director provides a face to face orientation.

Two neighbors stop in to meet the new resident and say Hi! A neighbor who wants to nap complains that the TV is too loud. Bingo is at 2:00 PM in the activities lounge.

How was your first day in your new home, Mrs. Johnson?

Everyone at my dining table mumbles. There are too many activities here which sound alike; I'll just stay in my room. People seem friendly here, but I didn't catch their names.

I have to sit right up to the TV; maybe I shouldn't watch it anymore. Boy, Bingo used to be so much fun when Ed was alive: I don't think I'll bother with it here.

Mrs. Johnson, you need a complete hearing evaluation.

It's time to:

• Join in conversation at meal time.
• Understand the information provided by staff members.
• Get to know your new neighbors.
• Watch TV with a normal volume control setting.
• Hear the Bingo calls once again.

It's time to get well fitting hearing aids!!!