When the world is loud, it’s very difficult to focus and pay attention. Unfortunately, the world seems to be getting louder and noisier by the day. This creates particular difficulty for seniors, many of whom have experienced hearing loss. Sounds blend together when they are in the midst of groups of people or are simply out and about taking care of errands or shopping. The inability to hear clearly and make sense of the world can lead to many seniors choosing to stay inside and avoid social situations. Obviously, this isn’t a good solution — such isolation can lead to depression and a major loss of vitality. So what are senior caregivers and loved ones to do?
Thankfully, there are some strategies that seniors, their caregivers and their loved ones can employ to ensure a more pleasant experience, even in the midst of a society that can’t get any noisier.
Accept and Prepare
One of the best things seniors and their caregivers can do is prepare for noisy social situations before jumping into them. Are you going out to eat at a busy restaurant? Plan ahead by acknowledging that it will likely be noisy. Consider seating arrangements that optimize the senior’s ability to participate in conversations and pay attention to what’s going on around them. Think about going to dinner at a less popular time, too; sometimes a slightly quieter atmosphere is all that’s needed to turn an unpleasant social setting into a highly enjoyable one.
Have Patience
Again, preparation is key. Loved ones and caregivers can sit down with seniors before an outing to explain what the situation will be like and what will be required. Understand that questions and answers may need to be repeated. Seniors should feel comfortable — and not like a burden — if they need to repeat a question or ask for clarification. A bit of patience can keep social situations from escalating into chaos.
Limit the Number of Participants
Sometimes loudness isn’t the problem. Sometimes there are just too many people having too many different conversations at once for seniors to find enjoyment in social situations. While it might be tempting to gather a large group around a senior loved one, it’s important to think of the senior’s wellbeing and comfort. Keeping social scenarios confined to a handful of people ensures that seniors can participate more comfortably in conversation without having to navigate the din of multiple voices discussing different things.
Help Is Available
Are you struggling with a senior loved one who may be having difficulty due to noisy social situations? If you feel like you’ve reached the end of your rope — or if you simply could use a helping hand — Always Best Care and our team of awesome caregivers can help! Give us a call today at 1-(855)-470-CARE (2273) to learn how you can receive your FREE consultation.
