Fiber is an incredibly important part of our diet – it helps us maintain digestive and gut health, which is essential to overall wellness. As we age, the body’s metabolism will naturally slow down and can lead to a harder time keeping weight off, higher levels of blood sugar and cholesterol, and other possible health risks. Fiber lessens the impact of these health concerns by regulating digestion and keeping you healthy! Read more
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as seasonal depression, is a common mental health condition that can be exacerbated in the darkness of winter months. It’s especially common in areas that have more intense winters like Maine, where the days become shorter and there are longer periods of darkness. Though seasonal depression can impact individuals of any age, older adults may be especially vulnerable. This is why it’s essential to understand seasonal depression in seniors and learn how you can counter the effects of SAD during the winter months. Read more
This is part of an ongoing series of lectures about issues impacting older adults, which OceanView at Falmouth sponsors for residents and members of the community. To find out about future programs at OceanView at Falmouth, go to oceanviewrc.com.
Hearing loss is surprisingly common — roughly one in three people between ages 65 to 74 has hearing loss, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing, according to National Institute on Aging. And yet those with hearing loss wait an average of seven years to seek help, after they first start experiencing symptoms.
Waiting can have consequences, as undetected hearing loss is linked with a myriad of health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, social isolation and anxiety. What’s more, those with hearing loss experience cognitive decline up to 40% faster than those with normal hearing, research shows.
“There’s a lot of denial,” says Debra Bare-Rogers, an Advocate for Telecommunications Relay Services for Disability Rights Maine. “People think, ‘I’m not old enough,’ but they don’t realize it can happen at any age.” Bare-Rogers, who sits on the board of the Association of Late Deafened Adults, began experiencing hearing loss when she was in her early 40s.
Bare-Rogers, who serves on the board of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and is a certified Hearing Loss Peer Mentor, recently came to OceanView at Falmouth to speak with the community about the effects of untreated hearing loss, and tell them about resources for support.
Here are five insights she offered:
The signs of hearing loss can be different for each individual, but it’s a good idea to get checked if you find yourself frequently asking people to repeat themselves, or turning up the volume of the radio and TV on a regular basis. It may sound like people are constantly mumbling or muffling their words, or you feel like you’re constantly catching just parts of conversations.
The doctor can do an exam to find out if there is some physical cause of the hearing difficulties, like a buildup of earwax, or some other obstruction in the ear, which can be easily remedied in an office visit. In some cases, inflammation in the ear, or structural abnormalities in the bones of the ear can cause issues. The doctor can also conduct some basic screening tests to find out how you’re responding to sounds. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to an audiologist or an Ears, Nose, and Throat doctor (ENT), for further screening.
If you do find that you need a hearing aid, or another type of amplification device, be patient. Often people think that once they spend the money on hearing aids, it should be a quick fix, but it takes a while to adjust and have hearing aids adjusted to meet your needs, and getting used to wearing them in your everyday life.
If you are having trouble hearing, regardless of whether you have any sort of amplification device, it’s important to let people know that you have a hearing problem. Ask them to face you and speak slowly and more clearly, and let them know if you don’t understand.
If you’re struggling with hearing loss, there are many resources and services that can help make everyday life easier, from free speech-to-text apps for smart phones to teleconference captioning services to pocket-sized assisted listening devices which amplify incoming sound. You can also take advantage of services like Maine Relay, a free statewide service that connects telephone users with individuals who are experiencing hearing loss. Qualified applicants can receiver specialized phones or hearing aids through the Telecommunications Equipment Program: https://drme.org/deaf-services/tep
Contact Debra-Bare Rogers at Disability Rights Maine at drogers@drme.org
To find out about future programs for older adults at OceanView at Falmouth, go to oceanviewrc.com.
What is the connection between exercise and memory? Brain health can be complicated, and there is still plenty of research to be done to fully understand how memory loss can occur. That said, what we do know is that there are simple ways you can reduce the risks of cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia – specifically, with exercise! Read more
Joint pain is no joke. Uncomfortable at best and debilitating at its worst, nothing puts a damper on your day-to-day life like dealing with painful joints. Luckily, there are several simple at-home remedies and lifestyle changes you can incorporate to help ease this pain! Keep reading below for our best tips on how to help joint pain naturally. Read more
Once you reach retirement age, it’s likely that you’ve spent most of your life taking care of loved ones and putting others before yourself. Though self-care is a term coined only in the last several years, it’s an essential part of maintaining our health as we get older. Aging and self-care are connected in ways that you may not have even thought of!
Below, we explain what self-care is, why it’s important to your health, and some easy ways to take care of yourself! Read more
It’s an adage as old as time: “Laughter is the best medicine.” It’s no secret how fun it is (and how good it feels!) to enjoy a good belly laugh, but did you know there are some incredible health benefits that are directly linked to laughter? As we age, laughter becomes an essential part of our overall well-being. It’s scientifically proven to improve your body’s function and lead to a happier, healthier life! Learn about some incredible laughter health benefits, plus several easy ways to incorporate more laughter into each day! Read more
Heading into the new year typically signifies the beginning of a fresh start, especially after indulging in the holiday season. For many, this means kicking bad habits to the curb and working towards building new, healthy habits in their place. When it comes to setting healthy goals, look inward on what you’d like to improve on. Whether it’s drinking more water each day or cutting down on snacking, there are small, achievable goals that can be extremely rewarding if you stick with them! We’ve put together some healthy New Year’s resolutions to help kick-start your healthy new habits! Read more
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that slowly causes memory loss, eventually impacting thinking and reasoning skills. As it progresses, it can become severe enough to interfere with daily life. As the most common cause of dementia, or general memory loss with cognitive interference, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 70% of dementia cases. With an Alzheimer’s diagnosis comes the need for appropriate memory care and a long-term plan to ensure the person’s safety and comfort. Read more
As we age, our cognitive functions can become impaired, leading to memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Memory care can be a challenging path to travel for those who are trying to support their loved ones experiencing cognitive impairment at any level.
There are certain activities that can not only help slow the symptoms of memory loss, but even keep it at bay – one of the best ways to support cognitive function is through photography. Photography can have such a positive impact on a person’s well-being and there are so many benefits to this hobby, such as decision making, confidence and boosting self-esteem. Photography also encourages focus and calms the mind, aiding in anxiety and depression. Below, we highlight some of the incredible benefits of photography for memory support in seniors. Read more
