General Senior Concerns

No one has ever said that getting old is easy! Indeed, there are many challenges that older adults face, some simply a result of the process of aging and others the result of life threatening illnesses like mesothelioma. Arthritis and other disorders make it harder to walk or perform everyday tasks, one's hearing and eyesight are not as keen as they used to be, balance and coordination may not be what they once were, and energy levels are way down. Some of these problems have simple solutions while others are a little more difficult to address. Nonetheless, there are resources available to help seniors tackle many of these issues.

Failing Eyesight

One of the first problems many older people experience as they age is a change in their eyesight. The eyes are one of the parts of the body most affected by aging, and though many individuals may have worn glasses since they were young, it sometimes seems that their eyes are quickly deteriorating once they reach their 60s and 70s. In addition, common eye diseases of old age - like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration - can be of real concern, especially for the senior who lives alone.

As a start, family members can help those with failing eyesight by changing a few things around the house. Bulbs should be of higher wattage, stairs should be well lit with edges trimmed in a bright color, countertop edges should also be highlighted in a contrasting color, and phones with large numbers should be purchased. Prescription errors can occur with failing eyesight as well, so medication bottles should be clearly marked in large print with the name of the drug and its dosage instructions.

Lions Club International, an age-old service organization, is dedicated to funding sight-related projects and may be able to help the senior with some issues concerning loss of sight. Services offered to qualifying seniors include providing guide dogs, furnishing talking books or Braille books, providing white canes or computers for the visually-impaired, and much more. Interested parties should contact their local Lions Club or consult www.lionsclubs.org.

Choosing a Hearing Aid

Another common senior-related concern is hearing loss. Millions of older adults simply can't hear well and this seriously impacts their social interaction with others as well as their ability to enjoy everyday things like television or listening to music. But there's no reason to suffer. Hearing aids are better than ever and there's sure to be one that can help among the many brands and styles available.

Usually, the problem of hearing loss is first discussed with either the patient's general practitioner or an eye, nose and throat specialist who may be able to recommend a certain kind of hearing aid that's best for the patient's type of hearing loss. The choices can be confusing, so guidance is helpful.

Generally, all hearing aids contain the same parts but the way they fit in or around the ear is different. Some are best for mild to moderate hearing loss while others are designed for those with severe loss.

• Completely in the canal - This type, obviously, goes all the way into the canal and is the least noticeable. It's easy to use the telephone or headphones with in-the-canal hearing aids as there is nothing that sticks out. Also, this type is less likely to pick up wind and other extraneous noises. However, there is no volume adjustment. It's suitable for moderate or mild loss of hearing.
• Partially in the canal - This type fits mostly inside the ear with a small piece sticking out. It's small and includes features like volume control or a directional mike. It often doesn't fit well in small ears and is suitable for mild to moderate loss only.
• Behind the ear - These hook over the top of the ear and rest behind it. They are the most visible and tend to be a bit annoying. However, this type is capable of better amplification and may be an excellent choice for those with fairly severe hearing loss.
• Half-shell - This one fits into the bowl-shaped lower portion of your outer ear. Good for mild to moderate loss, it fits most ears and can include features like volume control.
• Full-shell - This one fills most of the bowl-shaped portion of the outer ear and is one of the largest types of hearing aid on the market. However, it's easy to insert and works quite well for severe hearing loss. In addition, its size allows for the use of larger batteries, which wear out less often.

Because hearing aids come in so many shapes and sizes, seniors should ask for a trial period when first receiving a pair to be sure they can tolerant a particular type. This can save a lot of money in the long run and prevent the hearing aids from taking up permanent residence in a drawer!

Finding Transportation for Seniors Who Can't Drive

For many seniors, giving up their car is a frightening sign of aging and the loss of independence. They now must rely on someone else for their transportation needs. This doesn't mean, however, that they need to be house bound from this point on. There are innumerable resources for seniors who need transportation.

• Paratransit - Many cities/towns offer paratransit services for seniors and others with disabilities. These services usually pick up the passenger at their home and deliver them directly to the place they need to be.
• Senior Transit Shuttles - Some communities have shuttles especially for seniors who need to get to the grocery store and other destinations. Similarly, Medi-Cars, which take seniors to the hospital or a physician's office, are sometimes available as well. Check with your local Agency on Aging to determine if there's one in your area.
• Taxis - Some communities offer discounted taxi cab fares for seniors. Or consider pairing up with a friend and sharing the fare in order to save money.
• Look for volunteer drivers - If you belong to a place of worship or any social organizations, make it known that you can no longer drive and sometimes need transportation. Find out if these organizations have a list of volunteer drivers or will compile one for you.
• Ask a friend - Check with friends and family members for rides and, if possible, help them pay for gasoline or treat them to an inexpensive lunch in return for their generosity.

Sources

Foundation of American Ophthalmology
http://www.eyecareamerica.org

Hearing Loss Association of America
http://www.hearingloss.org