I had no idea Ma's hearing aide wasn't working until she broke it in half. A new one connected her with the world again, rolled back her dementia, got her talking, laughing & playing.
I also write for dementia caregivers. I hope some of my words resonate with you. Please feel free to share to anyone you think may needs this information.
Incredible story. To think that hearing could be that powerful, though I wear hearing aids so have experienced some of their magic myself. I don’t think it had an impact on my dementia—unless it delayed it. Hmmm. Thank you for sharing. Stop at my substack; I write articles that carry information and some of my own experience and perspective. Have positive times with mom!
I’m already subscribed! There have been a lot of articles about hearing and dementia. I had no idea hers had been failing her, we naturally ascribed it to the progression of the disease - she’s obviously pretty far along. Imagine spending a day without your hearing aids, how much you’d miss. Small things maybe, but still, connection to the outside world, I’m inspired by reading your posts.
I'm so happy you have rolled the clock back a bit and are getting to enjoy this time with your mom. Also, I agree with her about purple. It's my fave color too.
Ermmmm I hope most of your nose is intact, she's got her vroom and verve back! Restimulated! LOVE these photos, Jodi.
Of course, the mischief-making is genetic, so I can imagine the trouble and the extra-dementia-related trouble at your place now. What fun!
Sometimes I think, that when we think everything is SO paradoxical, it's just because we've not invented the special-experience word for the process / feeling...yet. There's so much here in your experience AND its unique AND so resonant. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for always advocating for my Carer Mentor work, hon. I appreciate you! Sending BIG hugs P.S I hope you can get some rest amidst your Mom's increase in energy!
What a change! It's amazing to read this and know what a difference the new hearing aid has made. The hurdle to "get it" is a shame, but I'm glad it worked out and they used the old test as the baseline. I really admire you for documenting these things you notice, things that haven't happened before and are reappearing now. I hope this upswing continues. She must on some level be so happy to have reduced that cottony state.
She for sure doesn't know why, but she is for sure, happier. Smiling more. It makes sense, she's in the world again, rather than restricted just to the invisible world. Thanks for reading, Amy.
Isn't that exciting! Hearing has such an impact on every aspect of your life! I've had a hearing aid in one ear for two years now. Mainly because I couldn't hear my students or engage clearly in a conversation. I also read how if you wait too long the visual neurons take over and it leads to dementia.
We have tried for years to get my mother to agree to hearing aids. I love the analogy of cotton balls in her ears. It would make sure a difference but can't be forced.
So glad that your mom is more of herself and is dancing to the beat of life!
It took me quite a while to convince her originally. I got some for myself but low end and don’t seem to make any difference. I’m terrified of finding myself in mom’s place- dementia. Dependent. I find myself nodding rather than asking folks to repeat themselves. I should upgrade…thanks for reading and checking in.
It has made a world of difference to me. I have a pretty high-tech version with bluetooth so I can listen to music, audiobooks and talk on the phone. Of course it often looks like I'm talking to myself!
So good to hear Ma has recovered some groove. Keep bopping to TuPac and rocking the purple (my favorite color too) Thanks for making Tuesday a good news day. ❤️
Your mom is so lucky to have you in a million ways- your observation, love and curiosity is so deeply moving. This is also fascinating about the connections with hearing and other senses.
Also“meet them where they are” rings such a bell for me. Amomg other things, it was a strong message in the TTouch training which is where we met! It is something I think about every day, not only for the animals who I work with, but the people who are the animal’s guardians.
"Meet them where they are, not where you want them to be." That is such a valuable tip, Jodi, and one I realised was important when being with my "elders" with dementia.
So glad your Ma's hearing aid is helping her reconnect with the world.
It works in almost any situation. Especially with someone ailing but ALSO in confrontation. A bit of wearing the other person shoes. Easier said than done. ❤️
When I read about this in a post you shared on FB, I hoped you would write about it here. Wahoo! Elayne's doing Elayne. That must feel so good and so strange. I'm happy for both of you. It does bring those best of tears: joy, relief, wonder. Hug your Ma for me, and ask her to give you one back in my name. Love you, Jodi. xo
https://donnachandler.substack.com/p/if-i-get-dementia-empowering-you?utm_source=substack&utm_content=feed%3Arecommended%3Acopy_link
I also write for dementia caregivers. I hope some of my words resonate with you. Please feel free to share to anyone you think may needs this information.
Thank you!
Thank you for checking in and welcome to the Stackaverse! Your input and experience is appreciated.
Incredible story. To think that hearing could be that powerful, though I wear hearing aids so have experienced some of their magic myself. I don’t think it had an impact on my dementia—unless it delayed it. Hmmm. Thank you for sharing. Stop at my substack; I write articles that carry information and some of my own experience and perspective. Have positive times with mom!
I’m already subscribed! There have been a lot of articles about hearing and dementia. I had no idea hers had been failing her, we naturally ascribed it to the progression of the disease - she’s obviously pretty far along. Imagine spending a day without your hearing aids, how much you’d miss. Small things maybe, but still, connection to the outside world, I’m inspired by reading your posts.
I would miss so much without my hearing aids.
This is exciting. Thank. For telling a wonderful story. 🌹💕🕊️
Thanks, Prajna. In the big picture, it's incremental. In the bigger picture, I needed a little bit of a god shot in today's political climate.
Of course, sending you and mama a big huge hug for your beautiful souls.
I'm so happy you have rolled the clock back a bit and are getting to enjoy this time with your mom. Also, I agree with her about purple. It's my fave color too.
So weird, it was never her go-to color, but hey, it's all about change.
Amazing!
Ain't it though?
Ermmmm I hope most of your nose is intact, she's got her vroom and verve back! Restimulated! LOVE these photos, Jodi.
Of course, the mischief-making is genetic, so I can imagine the trouble and the extra-dementia-related trouble at your place now. What fun!
Sometimes I think, that when we think everything is SO paradoxical, it's just because we've not invented the special-experience word for the process / feeling...yet. There's so much here in your experience AND its unique AND so resonant. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for always advocating for my Carer Mentor work, hon. I appreciate you! Sending BIG hugs P.S I hope you can get some rest amidst your Mom's increase in energy!
well, yes, she has no teeth so the worst she can do is gum me to death.
Awwww bless!
What a change! It's amazing to read this and know what a difference the new hearing aid has made. The hurdle to "get it" is a shame, but I'm glad it worked out and they used the old test as the baseline. I really admire you for documenting these things you notice, things that haven't happened before and are reappearing now. I hope this upswing continues. She must on some level be so happy to have reduced that cottony state.
She for sure doesn't know why, but she is for sure, happier. Smiling more. It makes sense, she's in the world again, rather than restricted just to the invisible world. Thanks for reading, Amy.
Isn't that exciting! Hearing has such an impact on every aspect of your life! I've had a hearing aid in one ear for two years now. Mainly because I couldn't hear my students or engage clearly in a conversation. I also read how if you wait too long the visual neurons take over and it leads to dementia.
We have tried for years to get my mother to agree to hearing aids. I love the analogy of cotton balls in her ears. It would make sure a difference but can't be forced.
So glad that your mom is more of herself and is dancing to the beat of life!
It took me quite a while to convince her originally. I got some for myself but low end and don’t seem to make any difference. I’m terrified of finding myself in mom’s place- dementia. Dependent. I find myself nodding rather than asking folks to repeat themselves. I should upgrade…thanks for reading and checking in.
It has made a world of difference to me. I have a pretty high-tech version with bluetooth so I can listen to music, audiobooks and talk on the phone. Of course it often looks like I'm talking to myself!
😁
I *am* often talking to myself
So good to hear Ma has recovered some groove. Keep bopping to TuPac and rocking the purple (my favorite color too) Thanks for making Tuesday a good news day. ❤️
Yeah. Nice to have her back a bit. We all need to share our good news these days. Also, I don’t wanna be a full time whiner!
Your mom is so lucky to have you in a million ways- your observation, love and curiosity is so deeply moving. This is also fascinating about the connections with hearing and other senses.
Also“meet them where they are” rings such a bell for me. Amomg other things, it was a strong message in the TTouch training which is where we met! It is something I think about every day, not only for the animals who I work with, but the people who are the animal’s guardians.
Exactly like TTouch!
❤️!
The twists and turns. As you say, moment to moment. A broken half a hearing aid. Wow!
Right? Crazy…
"Meet them where they are, not where you want them to be." That is such a valuable tip, Jodi, and one I realised was important when being with my "elders" with dementia.
So glad your Ma's hearing aid is helping her reconnect with the world.
It works in almost any situation. Especially with someone ailing but ALSO in confrontation. A bit of wearing the other person shoes. Easier said than done. ❤️
When I read about this in a post you shared on FB, I hoped you would write about it here. Wahoo! Elayne's doing Elayne. That must feel so good and so strange. I'm happy for both of you. It does bring those best of tears: joy, relief, wonder. Hug your Ma for me, and ask her to give you one back in my name. Love you, Jodi. xo
Oh, she’s in full Elayne mode. Still 95. Still has dementia, but she has a better quality of life for now.
I'm so glad to hear this. Have fun with her while she's in this place.