Hi all
Firstly I had better formally introduce myself, as have only really been a lurker for the past few months. I live with my husband, a daughter of 25 still yet to leave home, 4 horses a puppy and a cat. We are in our late 50s and are lucky enough to have retired early and moved to the country with all our animals. This decision was partly prompted by the needs of my 84year old mum who was diagnosed with AD about 6 years ago and last year we decided she could no longer live on her own. We bought this house, built an extension for her and she moved in with us just over a year ago.
I guess we are one of the lucky AD stories, because my mum is pretty easy going. Memory is totally shot, but she can still make herself a cup of tea and snacks, dresses herself and keeps fairly clean, with a few reminders and suggestions. Image was always everything to her so she is happy to have her hair done once a week, the occasional manicure and still insists on full makeup when going out. As with many AD suffers we have many surreal moments, but all things considered so far it is working out pretty well. Medically she has a few other issues, including arthritic knee, epilespy and we suspect maybe a small stroke or two, but this is still under investigation. Getting her to walk anywhere is a problem (her knee hurts and her gait is that of a staggering drunk), despite her claiming to everyone she loves a long walk, so we are following that up as well.
So now to the point of this post. When she moved in she was insistent that she wanted a hearing aid. We were still sharing a lounge with her at that time and the volume she had the TV at confirmed she REALLY needed one. It took me a while to organise things, but about 6 weeks ago she was fitted with a set of digital hearing aids. Problem is that she hates them, hides them, and is convinced I am being really mean making her wear them.
If she had no other problems I would insist she carries on getting used to them. I have to put them in for her as she cannot even begin to work out how to do it, but she can take them out herself. When we go anywhere now when she has them in she is really miserable, doesnt want to join in anything or listen to anything. My gut feeling is that her poor AD'd brain just cant cope with the bombardment of noise. She is happy and content in her quiet world and I am worried that what is supposed to enhance her life is actually upsetting her unnecessarily. Yes, if she has them in she can hear conversations better, but she is so miserable that she chooses not to join in.
Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sue
Firstly I had better formally introduce myself, as have only really been a lurker for the past few months. I live with my husband, a daughter of 25 still yet to leave home, 4 horses a puppy and a cat. We are in our late 50s and are lucky enough to have retired early and moved to the country with all our animals. This decision was partly prompted by the needs of my 84year old mum who was diagnosed with AD about 6 years ago and last year we decided she could no longer live on her own. We bought this house, built an extension for her and she moved in with us just over a year ago.
I guess we are one of the lucky AD stories, because my mum is pretty easy going. Memory is totally shot, but she can still make herself a cup of tea and snacks, dresses herself and keeps fairly clean, with a few reminders and suggestions. Image was always everything to her so she is happy to have her hair done once a week, the occasional manicure and still insists on full makeup when going out. As with many AD suffers we have many surreal moments, but all things considered so far it is working out pretty well. Medically she has a few other issues, including arthritic knee, epilespy and we suspect maybe a small stroke or two, but this is still under investigation. Getting her to walk anywhere is a problem (her knee hurts and her gait is that of a staggering drunk), despite her claiming to everyone she loves a long walk, so we are following that up as well.
So now to the point of this post. When she moved in she was insistent that she wanted a hearing aid. We were still sharing a lounge with her at that time and the volume she had the TV at confirmed she REALLY needed one. It took me a while to organise things, but about 6 weeks ago she was fitted with a set of digital hearing aids. Problem is that she hates them, hides them, and is convinced I am being really mean making her wear them.
If she had no other problems I would insist she carries on getting used to them. I have to put them in for her as she cannot even begin to work out how to do it, but she can take them out herself. When we go anywhere now when she has them in she is really miserable, doesnt want to join in anything or listen to anything. My gut feeling is that her poor AD'd brain just cant cope with the bombardment of noise. She is happy and content in her quiet world and I am worried that what is supposed to enhance her life is actually upsetting her unnecessarily. Yes, if she has them in she can hear conversations better, but she is so miserable that she chooses not to join in.
Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Sue