Working as a care manager with the geriatric population provides opportunities to look for links between aging and preventable areas of decline in quality of life. Many of the activities that promote healthy aging can be implemented in middle age, like balanced diet, exercise, and socialization. There are some aspects of aging, however, that have been stigmatized over time. One of these is hearing loss. I assess individuals regularly who either have been diagnosed with hearing loss but don’t wear their hearing aids, or who refuse to have their hearing checked and deny that hearing loss is a problem. 

Growing up, I had grandparents who fell into both categories. My paternal grandmother had hearing aids that she usually left on her dresser. My maternal grandfather denied he had a hearing issue but watched television at full volume. As my own parents aged, I saw my father deny his hearing loss. But my mother, after prompting from me, had her hearing checked at a health fair at the local mall when she was only in her mid-fifties. My mother did get hearing aids and wore them after she realized what a difference they made, especially in social interactions. 
In the past several years there have been studies that show a link between hearing loss and dementia. Although hearing loss can be risk factor for dementia, it does not seem to be a direct cause. It does, however, contribute to social isolation which can also affect cognitive decline. 

In 2019 my children started commenting on the number of times I asked them to repeat themselves during conversations. I told them they needed to enunciate, speak up, or stop mumbling. This pattern continued until 2020 when, in the midst of the COVID pandemic, everyone started wearing masks. The skill I didn’t realize I had cultivated during the previous year or two was lip-reading! Although I had unknowingly made an accommodation to my hearing loss, there was no telling how long face-masks would be needed, so I had an evaluation by an audiologist and learned I needed bilateral hearing aids. What a difference addressing my hearing loss made immediately! The day after I started wearing the hearing aids I went for a walk with my youngest daughter and commented on how loud the birds were in our neighborhood. My daughter informed me that they were always that loud, I just couldn’t hear them before. 

Some people don’t want to wear hearing aids because of vanity. I tell them that most styles of hearing aids are almost invisible. Some people don’t want to wear hearing aids because they are a clear sign of aging. I respond that we are ALL aging; this moment in time is the youngest any of us will be for the rest of our lives. If making a small change like wearing hearing aids can help prevent cognitive issues even a little bit, I say DO IT! Improve your quality of life now so you can preserve your quality of life later! 
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Just my two cents! 

My name is Penny Golden. I am a registered nurse and the President of ElderCare Solutions, a geriatric care management company in the Chicago area. I have been visiting and working with the geriatric population my entire life and have learned many tips and tricks for problem-solving situations that, in the moment, seem insurmountable. Through this platform, I hope to share some of what I’ve learned to help others navigate the later years and add quality to their life. 

One tip I share with all my clients and families is how to prepare an organized file to streamline information sharing in the event of a medical emergency. Early on in my career as a care manager, I had a client suffer a medical emergency. Her caregiver called 911, and I met them in the Emergency Room of the local hospital. The client had a diagnosis of dementia, and the caregiver was flustered and overwhelmed. Neither was able to answer questions relating to the recent medical history, medication list, power of attorney for healthcare, or what precipitated her symptoms. Had I not been available to meet them with my file that had all the answers, her outcome may have looked very different. That was a lightbulb moment! If my client had a file folder that held all the information needed in such a situation, emergency treatment could get started sooner. The file could be helpful in other situations, as well, like first appointments with new healthcare providers, applying to retirement living communities, and even end-of-life care and paperwork. 

Putting the file together is a matter of knowing what to include and organizing the file in a way that is helpful. Start with photocopies of the individual’s photo identification (i.e., driver’s license, state ID, or passport) and insurance cards (front and back). Also include a copy of the Power-of-Attorney for Healthcare form and that person’s contact information, emergency contacts’ names and phone numbers, and the POLST (or DNR) form, if applicable. Also helpful is a current medication list, any allergies, current diet, and current medical history. (The medical history can include any chronic issues, history of falls, surgical history, and medical history for approximately three years.) 

The file should be kept in a place that is easily accessible, such as on top of refrigerator or in a magnetized pocket on the front of the refrigerator.  

This simple tip can save time, prevent anxiety, and make stressful situations easier to manage. 

Just my two cents!