News from Hearing Expert Nola Aronson
Hearing Loss Affects All Aspects of Communication
by Nola Aronson, MA
Communication is what keeps us connected. Difficulty communicating with a date, a spouse, employer or parent can add unnecessary stress and frustration to relationships. It also leads to misunderstandings and feelings of isolation. Hearing loss usually happens gradually. Many people do not realize how much it impacts those around them. They may not realize how much they are missing and how everyone has adapted, often by unwittingly leaving the person with hearing loss out of the conversation due to the effort involved. They may not acknowledge that they have stopped doing activities or seeing people they once enjoyed because they cannot hear clearly.

We offer these suggestions to encourage a loved one to have a hearing evaluation and to try hearing aids, if they are recommended:

Create awareness of the hearing problem.
Gently draw attention when something was missed or misunderstood. Show them how their untreated hearing loss affects relationships with their loved ones.

Enlist the help of other family members or their physician to encourage getting the hearing evaluation as a first step toward better hearing.

Discuss why he or she is unwilling to take action in a supportive way.
Often people have misinformation about the process or are afraid of the image of wearing hearing aids. Demonstrate that hearing loss shows more than a hearing aid would.

Accompany them to the evaluation to understand what is involved in the process toward better hearing.
Listening to a familiar voice when trying hearing aids will reinforce the benefit.

Be patient, supportive and maintain your sense of humor!
If you or a loved one would like to schedule a free hearing screening, call Nola Aronson's Advanced Audiology. 877-4555

Holidays for Seniors
Seniors may have unique needs that may lead to a case of the Holiday Blues. It may be difficult for seniors to participate in holiday events due to mobility limitations, which may lead to a feeling of isolation. The holidays may also be an emotional time for seniors who have experienced loss.

Some suggestions for helping seniors enjoy these special days:
• Reminisce about good times with family by going through photos.
Although this can be sad, it does illustrate how full the senior's life has
been and what a legacy they have created.

• Make a point to include seniors in celebrations while also respecting
their desire to spend time alone.

• Ask if they need transportation to events or assistance with festive
decorations or shopping.

• Recreate traditions important to celebrations of the past. Think:
familiar foods, religious ceremonies and music.

• Include participation in tasks like assisting in meal preparation
and gift selection.

• During gatherings, avoid embarrassing moments that may occur due
to memory loss. If a senior forget names or even forgets a very recent
conversation, just move on to a different topic without asking "Don't
you remember?"
Visiting Angels 263-2273

Be a Santa to a Senior
Each year, Home Instead Senior Care offices throughout North America spread holiday cheer to lonely or financially-challenged seniors through the Be a Santa to a Senior program. The program has attracted upwards of 60,000 volunteers over the past six years. Since introducing the Be a Santa to a Senior program, Home Instead Senior Care has helped provide 1.2 million gifts to more than 700,000 seniors.

Home Instead Senior Care partners with local non-profit and community organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. The company then works with local businesses and retail stores to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of gifts by placing trees and ornaments within their various locations. Each senior's gift requests are written on a Be a Santa to a Senior tree ornament.

Here's how to help an underserved senior. First, log onto www.beasantatoasenior.com and find the nearest tree location. Then, remove an ornament, purchase the gift and bring the ornament and gift back to a participating store. It's that easy. Volunteers collect, wrap, and deliver the gifts to the seniors prior to Christmas.

Trees are now available at FASTFRAME, Gable Property Management, Gymnastics Unlimited, Home Instead, Santa Clarita Athletic Club, Saugus Drugs, Summerhill Villa, UPS Store in Castaic, Union Bank (Canyon Country, Newhall, Valencia) and Wicall's Carpet.
Home Instead Senior Care for the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys
254-8701