When you receive a dementia diagnosis, it can be overwhelming. Different thoughts and emotions can run through you and your loved ones’ minds about what to do next. But there are several things you can do to help you prepare and help ease you into this new part of your life. Always remember that Trinity Elder Law & Estate Planning is here for you and your family every step of the way. Learn more about the diagnosis. To help you and your family prepare, it’s essential to learn more about the disease and what to expect moving forward. You want to understand the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms within each category. Knowing the different feelings and behaviors So You Received a D
WHY HEARING LOSS HURTS YOUR OVERALL HEALTH Exploring exotic flavors and enjoying memories through scent are just a couple ways our senses allow us to connect with others. But when you struggle with age-related hearing loss, a critical component of how you experience the world can disappear quickly — taking with it your mental well-being. Why is this so? Your Brain Small, challenging activities or “exercises” for your brain can enrich your cognitive well-being as you age. But constantly straining to hear puts the brain into overdrive, and much like overdoing a physical workout, your brain becomes tired very quickly and degenerates. This increases your chance of developing dementia. A 12-year study by Johns Hopkins found that mild hearing loss doubled dementia risk, moderate loss tripled this risk, and those with severe issues faced a risk five times greater than the average person. Your Heart Experts are still determining a direct link between hearing loss and cardiovascular disease, but the research has found a startling correlation. Those with hearing loss are more likely to also have heart conditions. One suggestion is that those with hearing loss also have diminished blood flow to the ears, which is problematic for the auditory function. Our sense of hearing relies on a strong circulatory system. Your Mental Health Living in a world you cannot fully understand or hear can exhaust your mental well-being. Those with hearing loss may refrain from common social activities for fear they won’t be able to understand what is happening. Furthermore, they may face exasperated relatives whose patience grows thin after repeating themselves or enduring TV volume above an acceptable level. Due to these situations, those who struggle to hear may experience greater social isolation and diminished feelings of self-worth. Depression is common among those with hearing loss. The best way to prevent these health concerns is to seek professional guidance. Speak with an auditory expert about your hearing concerns and discover solutions that will help you hear better and improve your well-being! ‘SAY WHAT?!’
of dementia will help you
develop coping strategies and alternative ways to communicate to help with these reactions. Having a conversation about the
Puzzle Time!
Answers:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also has resources to help you learn more. Visit CDC.gov to access this information.
www.TrinityElderLaw.com
2
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator