VA Home Care
As veterans get older, they will be at an increased risk of developing certain physical ailments. Hearing loss is one of them.
While elderly veterans may be less inclined to rely on home care support, it may be a much more practical and positive solution to keep them safe and help them maintain a higher quality of life, especially if they begin having difficulty hearing or seeing clearly.
Deaf History Month is March 13 through April 15 and while hearing loss doesn’t necessarily mean the senior is considered legally deaf, it’s a good time of the year to discuss hearing loss and how it can affect people of any age, especially seniors.
Seniors are at an increased risk of developing some type of hearing loss, especially if they’re exposed to loud noises on a consistent basis in their younger years. For aging veterans, this may have occurred during their active time of service.
While the military certainly takes precautions to help protect their servicemen and servicewomen from unnecessary harm, during World War II, the Korean War, and even the Vietnam Conflict, those same servicemembers may not have had protection for their hearing. If they were in an active combat situation and firing a weapon, it’s not likely they took the time to put earplugs in or even consider protecting their hearing.
Even servicemen who served in the Navy, on a ship, may have been exposed to extremely loud noises. In the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy, there are plenty of situations where an individual could have been exposed to extremely loud noises for an extended period of time.
This can increase the risk factor for hearing loss.
If an elderly veteran is having a difficult time hearing clearly, he may have a difficult time listening to instructions, communicating effectively, or even understanding what his doctor has been telling him. It can put him at an increased risk of unnecessary emergencies or other situations.
Relying on a home care aide who has experience working with other seniors suffering from hearing loss could be a valuable asset because they would also have experience in how to communicate more effectively with that particular senior.
A person doesn’t have to let any type of disability or limitation hamper their ability to stay safe, remain comfortable at home, and even stay active. For seniors, a home care aide can ensure a higher quality of life in these situations.
For more information and to learn about VA home care, contact Veteran’s Home Care at (888) 314-6075.
