What would you feel if you suddenly lost something you've used your entire life? Our five senses have allowed us not only to survive, but also to discover the world. And when one of those senses is no longer there, it's undoubtedly a grief.
It's clear that loss is a part of life. As time passes, we lose things, perhaps some more important than others: age, certain physical abilities, people. But what happens when what we lose is fundamental to life, like sight or hearing?
Obviously, this is a very painful time for anyone to go through. If this is the case for an older adult in your care, consider this guide.
Why does it happen?
Unfortunately, that is the reality for many older adults around the world.
One in three people aged 65 to 74 has some level of hearing loss.
This corresponds to data provided by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) of the United States.
And regarding vision, the World Health Organization estimates that about 188 million people have moderate vision impairment, 217 million have moderate to severe vision impairment, and 36 million are blind.
These losses may be due to illness, genetic causes, exposure to excessive noise, or as part of aging-related conditions, which clearly impair quality of life.
Having trouble seeing or hearing can be frustrating and embarrassing, but above all, it's a risk factor.
These types of conditions can affect people's daily lives. Can you imagine being in a conversation and not understanding what others are saying? Or what about looking up a street name and not being able to recognize it even though it's written there? Or if someone rang your doorbell and you couldn't hear it?
What to do? Rely on the four A's
Addressing a problem like vision or hearing loss requires the support and commitment of both specialists and the loved ones who interact with the patient.
To better understand how to intervene, we've created a short guide based on the four A's. Take note.
1. Accept it
The first thing to do with the patient is to help them recognize their new life situation. Regardless of the degree of vision or hearing loss, it's vital to acknowledge that several aspects of everyday life may change.
To achieve this, psychotherapy can be an important support during the process. This way, both the patient and their family can have the support they need to face the life adjustments they are about to face.
2. Anticipate
The key to everything will always be information. Write down any questions you have about the patient's new condition and consult with a healthcare professional, who will be able to guide you through the process.
You can also contact organizations related to the patient's illness, which will also be able to guide the family. If you decide to seek information online, just make sure it's from official and reliable sources.
Furthermore, it's important to remember that when one sense is lost or atrophied, the rest become more acute than ever, so you might want to consider other ways to compensate for the patient's new abilities. For example, in the case of hearing loss, a cell phone can be set to light up instead of ringing or vibrating.
As long as their condition allows, they can prepare. Consider training the patient now in the use of special canes, Braille, special glasses, sign language, or assistive hearing aids.
3. Adapt
A new condition also requires certain adjustments for everyone. At home, in cases of vision loss, you can reorganize your space and move some furniture that might be in the patient's way.
Depending on the degree of visual impairment, they may benefit from magnifying glasses, audiobooks, or even posters with large print to make them more legible. If the problem is hearing-impaired, some bells and alarms that emit light instead of sound can be very helpful.
And when it's time to rest, there are also options that offer complete comfort and ergonomics. For people with vision loss, there are pillows so soft to the touch that the patient will recognize them immediately.
Did you know that rest is crucial for a patient's recovery? We'll share the keys to a speedy recovery in this article.
4. Love each other
Empathy plays a key role throughout the entire process. After all, as we said at the beginning, this is a grief process. And clearly, losing the optimal function of a vital sense is difficult to process.
Therefore, it's essential to validate the patient's emotions. If they suddenly cry over the loss they're suffering, the best thing you can do is always offer support, be there for them, and be very patient. Perhaps all they need is to vent.
It's also vital not to push them aside. It often happens that those around the patient make decisions for them, without even considering them. Avoid making that mistake and involve them in everything that has to do with their life. Don't isolate them.
With proper support, the patient could do more everyday tasks than he thinks he can. Support him and help him, but also give him as much autonomy as possible.
Processes like these are also the perfect opportunity to show your love for the person. So, why not give them memorable memories? They'll treasure them in their hearts and feel grateful for having experienced it before they completely lost their sight or hearing.
For example, give the patient the gift of seeing the family together, reuniting them with a friend, taking them on a trip, a classical music concert, natural landscapes, colorful roses, framing a photo that brings back fond memories, an audio recording of a loved one speaking to them... The options are endless.
Can you imagine having a robot assistant to help you care for your seniors? We'll tell you about "Mabu" and "Zora," the trending Care Robots.
Tips for everyday life
If the problem is vision…
- Approach the person and say their name before speaking to them. Before touching them to get them up, let them know what you'll do.
- To carry her, just offer your arm and let her take it. Anticipate every movement, step, or noise.
- Wherever you go, take the time to describe the place and what's happening around you, along with a picture from television or a video.
- Optimize communication. If you think the person needs something, ask them.
- To eat, explain the plate in front of the child, guide them to touch the utensils and glasses, and explain which part of the plate is on each piece. Textures will be very helpful for recognizing things, so you can also get small pieces of paper or fabric made of different materials and stick them on doors, clothes, shoes, or furniture around the house.
If the problem is hearing…
- Before you approach him, try to get his attention.
- Look at the person straight on.
- Avoid distractions when communicating with the person, such as eating, talking to someone else, walking, or smoking.
- Depending on the degree of hearing impairment, speak clearly and slowly.
- Rely on gestures and signs that facilitate communication.
Reach out to each other
They say, "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional." That is, we will face difficult processes in life, but it's a personal decision to decide how long to dwell on them.
Yes, losing sight or hearing is a difficult and painful process. And to the extent that patients and their families accept this, they will have more information on how to cope.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of specialists, accessories, and general options designed to support these patients and their loved ones. Relying on these alternatives and trusting in the great power of love will be the key element that makes the difference.
Muchos Gracias!