Senior Care in Darien CT

It can be really frustrating to continually try to speak to your elderly loved one and to feel as though she's not listening to you. Whether she's actively not listening or she's got difficulty hearing you properly, these solutions can help you to narrow down potential causes.

Make Sure You Have Her Attention

When you are talking to your elderly loved one, are you sure that you have her attention? There's a difference between your loved one ignoring you and her simply not realizing that you're talking to her. To eliminate that dilemma, gently place a hand on your loved one's arm and make sure that you have eye contact with her. Then start speaking to her. You're likely to have far better results if you can wait a few seconds to be sure that you have her full attention.

Reduce Distractions in the Area

All kinds of noises and situations that you might think of as background noises may actually be extremely distracting for your elderly loved one. It's a good idea to do what you can to reduce those distractions when you really need her to listen to you. Turn down the TV or the radio, shut off appliances, and look for other ways to reduce background distractions while talking.

Enunciate, but Don't Shout

For some elderly loved ones, the louder you shout, the less they're able to hear or to understand you. Shouting may seem like a great way to get someone's attention, but it's usually not very effective. Instead, try speaking as clearly as you can and try to slow down a little from your normal talking speed. Speaking too slowly will also distort what you're saying, so there is a point of diminishing returns when you slow down.

Ask Your Loved One Where Problems Come in for Her

If all else is failing, ask your elderly loved one directly what you can do to help her to listen better. She may not realize that she hasn't been listening, or she can give you some insight as to what is causing her problems. You can also work with her senior care providers to figure out a solution that works for your loved one.

If your loved one is having trouble hearing, talk with her doctor about getting her hearing tested. Then you can know for sure what your loved one is dealing with in terms of her auditory health.

If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Darien, CT or the surrounding areas, please contact SYNERGY HomeCare of Stamford, CT at 203-661-6969.