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October is National Protect Your Hearing Month
Join us for an in-depth look at dementia! You will learn what to expect, common behaviors and how to approach them with your loved one. This 2-part training will leave you with a comprehensive understanding of the different stages of dementia, how the brain changes and what to anticipate as dementia progresses. Additionally, you will learn practical tips, tricks, and non-pharmacological interventions to help your loved one with dementia. These trainings are intended for those caring for a loved one with dementia. Memory Loss Progression, Behaviors, and Interventions
What does protecting your hearing have to do with dementia? There is a strong link between hearing loss and dementia. Those with mild hearing loss are two times more likely to develop dementia than those without hearing loss, those with moderate hearing loss are three times more likely, and those with severe hearing loss have a five times greater risk of developing dementia. Research also indicates that taking steps to minimize hearing loss could prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Hearing loss may contribute to dementia in multiple ways: • The strain of trying to hear constantly may cause the brain to dedicate more energy to trying to hear rather than memory and understanding functions of the brain. • Trouble hearing can also often lead to social isolation, which significantly increases the risk of cognitive decline. • It can also cause physiological changes in the brain itself. When signs of dementia are present, it is important to test for hearing loss. If there is hearing loss indicated, it can then be diagnosed, and treated typically with a hearing aid. In one study of people over 65 with deafness in at least one ear, 80% of participants showed cognitive improvement a year after being fitted with a cochlear implant. If you or your loved one has dementia AND hearing loss here are some tips that can help: • Quiet the room – reduce background noise and distractions • Lighten up – keep rooms well-lit; this helps make it easier to understand speech • Express yourself – when speaking use gestures and be expressive, ensure you are speaking face to face and at eye level when possible • Stay friendly • Don’t overcompensate – avoid exaggerated mouth movements that make your lips harder to read • Rephrase and restate – don’t repeat yourself too many times; choose different words to express your ideas • Annual cleaning – wax build up can exacerbate hearing loss so keep ears clean
Where:
600 S. Country Club Rd Tucson, AZ 85716
When:
Virtual (Zoom): Part 1: Thursday October 20, 10–11:30am Part 2: Thursday October 27, 10–11:30am In person: Part 1: Tuesday October 18, 10–11:30am Part 2: Tuesday October 25, 10–11:30am
Class size is limited Register through Eventbrite at: https://www.eventbrite. com/cc/dcsa-1070149 For more information or to register, contact Nicole Thomas at 520.790.7573 x1739 or nthomas@pcoa.org
Page 4 | October 2022, Never Too Late
Pima Council on Aging
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