5 Ways That Seniors Who Have Hearing Loss Can Socialize More
Hearing loss is something that most seniors experience to some degree. And for most seniors minor hearing loss doesn’t change their lives that much. But for some seniors hearing loss, especially profound loss, can make them avoid social situations.
When seniors aren’t getting enough social interaction they can become withdrawn, lonely, isolated, and depressed. If your mom or dad has hearing loss and it’s affecting their confidence you can help them get the social connection they need with companion care at home.
Companion care at home means that a companion will visit your senior mom or dad regularly and socialize with them. Companion care at home takes away the embarrassment and stress that seniors often feel if they go into public places and can’t hear well.
And it’s much easier for your mom or dad to understand what is being said when they are at home and not in a crowded noisy public place. With companion care your mom or dad can get all the socialization they need at home. Some other ways that seniors with hearing loss can get the socialization they need are:
Utilize Hearing Assistive Technology
There are a lot of helpful assistive devices that can make socializing easier for seniors who have hearing loss. Seniors can take advantage of hearing aids and hearing amplifiers to make it easier for them to hear conversations or participate in phone calls. Captioned telephones and video calls can also make it possible for seniors to join in conversations on phone calls and video chats with friends and family members.
Engage in Text-Based Communication
Seniors can also use text messages, emails, and social media to stay connected with friends and family and have lively discussions. Participating in online forums, posting on social media, and group texts with friends and family are great ways for seniors to communicate with others.
Join Virtual Groups and Clubs
There are thousands of online classes and workshops seniors can take virtually that have close-captioning and text-based lessons. Seniors can stream lectures in real time or take classes on their own time. Often these classes and groups have dedicated message boards where students can discuss what they’re learning.
Your senior parent can also join virtual discussion groups or book clubs that use text-based communication or have accessibility features for the hearing impaired.
Watch Movies and Shows with Subtitles
These days all the popular streaming services have a wide selection of TV shows and movies that are available with subtitles. Your senior mom or dad can watch new or old shows and movies, and then discuss them in chat or on forums with other fans. They can even attend virtual watch parties where fans use chat boxes to talk about what they’re watching as they watch.
Use Visual and Vibrational Alerts
Seniors can use visual doorbells and vibrational alerts to let them know if someone is at the door or to remind them that they have a scheduled call or some kind of social activity. That way your senior parent won’t miss a class, a chat, or the arrival of a companion who is coming over to provide companion care at home.