Pueblo Area Agency on Aging - Meeting Needs for Healthier Living
Apr 08, 2021
The Pueblo Area Agency on Aging or PAAA has great partnerships throughout Pueblo County who provide different services to those in the community. The importance of providing services that are helpful is listening to the communitys needs.
One program the PAAA takes great pride in is providing Material Aid assistance to the community. This program provides assistance to those who reside in Pueblo County, age 60 and older with vouchers toward Dental, Denture, Eyeglasses and Hearing Aids. These categories are particularly important to live a well-balanced life.
During my time with PAAA, the material aid program is clearly a need. I have learned many older adults have not been to a dentist for basic dental hygiene in 10 years or more in some cases. Many have dentures that they received 10+ years ago which do not fit well as they age creating sores on their gums. Some have shared that their glasses are so scratched that they are not sure if their vision has changed or the condition of their lenses are the reason. One extremely costly need for some are hearing aids. Many times, they purchase discount hearing aids in effort to save money, however, within a year they are no longer wearing them because they have not helped overall.
The material aid vouchers are payer of last resort, with insurances, Medicaid and Medicare taking the lead in covering the service. Many of the plans do not cover these needed, therefore, the voucher helps with their needs. At times, the voucher is the only way an individual can find some comfort and the ability to have a conversation and hear clearly what others are saying.
AAAs are a way for older adults to find assistance, comfort and pleasure in their daily lives. My day is complete when I hear a call thanking the PAAA because they were able to finally eat comfortably, read the paper or just hear the television clearly while enjoying their day. This is what makes working at the PAAA rewarding.
Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dina Godinez, Program Coordinator for the Pueblo AAA. She can be reached at 719-583-6120.
Other Articles You May Like
The Mouth is the Gateway to the Bodyand the Brain, too
Oral health is about much more than a clean smile. For older adults, brushing and flossing can become difficult due to arthritis, memory loss, or physical limitations. When dental care is missed, harmful bacteria build up. And they dont stay in the mouth.Research has found links between gum disease and a range of serious health issues: heart disease, pneumonia, diabetes complications, and more recently, dementia. In studies, bacteria associated with gum infections have even been found in the brains of people with Alzheimers disease, suggesting a role in inflammation and cognitive decline.The good (but not-so-new) news? Professional cleanings and oral screenings help reduce bacteria, spot issues early, and protect overall health. And theyre not just for those with medical conditionseven healthy individuals benefit from reaching the areas daily brushing and flossing miss.Dental care is healthcare. For aging adults, it plays a vital role in maintaining comfort, dignity, and quality of life.Mouth health is whole-body healthespecially as we age. Editors Note: This article was submitted by Jacob H. Nguyen, RDH. Jacob is a Direct Access Dental Hygienist and Founder of Dental Carvan. For more information he may be reached at 303-210-0999.
How to Prevent Hearing Loss for Musicians
Because of the nature of their work, musicians of all genres are at risk for noise-induced hearing loss. Additionally, being able to hear properly is vital to the musicians livelihood, from being able to hear the right notes and words to playing in the correct pitch and key. Without proper hearing protection, the loud sounds most musicians experience on stage and while playing their instrument can cause permanent damage to their hearing. Additionally, musicians are also at risk for developing tinnitus, or a ringing-in-the-ears sensation. Tinnitus can be present with or without hearing loss, and while not life-threatening, can seriously deteriorate the quality of life for an individual.Hearing protection for musiciansBoth custom and non-custom products are available for musicians to help prevent hearing loss. Wearing the right ear protection not only helps combat hearing loss, but can also help to prevent tinnitus. Musician earplugs: These earplugs for made for musicians playing a variety of different types of instruments. Theyre available in several types of materials, from foam to a softer plastic, and enable the musician to still hear the music being performed. These earplugs are also beneficial for concert-goers to protect their hearing while still enjoying the music. Electronic earplugs: These earplugs are electronic and can be programmed to adjust to different pitches and sounds depending on the loudness and environment the musician is in. These adaptive earplugs allow musicians to hear the sounds that are important, while filtering out damaging noise levels. In-ear monitors: These high-tech devices are used by musicians or audio-engineer professionals and deliver sound to the ear while creating a barrier to background and damaging noise levels. In-ear monitors are available in custom or universal options. Who Can Benefit from Musician Earplugs?Musician earplugs and protection arent simply designed for individuals in a band, they can actually be beneficial to a number of different people, including: Students in the school band or orchestra Music teachers or conductors Concert or festival attendees Nightclub workers or patrons Entertainment industry staff Finding the right ear protectionFinding the right ear protection is vital for musicians to not only perform their jobs, but also prevent hearing loss. If you need additional information or assistance in purchasing musicians earplugs consider visiting a hearing professional near you. A hearing specialist will be able to evaluate your wants and ensure you find the right product for your specific needs.
Types of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss looks different on everyone. It can come on suddenly and cause permanent damage and it can gradually occur and make it difficult to identify. It even ranges from mild to profound and may vary across different pitches and frequencies. This is why Beltone Sound conducts a series of hearing tests before prescribing a solution. Our hearing aid specialists need to understand the unique nature of your hearing loss in order to match you with the best products possible.One of the most significant answers hearing tests can provide is whether your hearing loss can be categorized as conductive, sensorineural or mixed. This helps establish a foundation for the symptoms you are experiencing and helps determine the ideal solution. Conductive Hearing LossConductive hearing loss may be characterized by sounds that are muffled or far too quiet. It occurs when theres an issue with the way that sound is taken to the inner ear and a structure called the cochlea. This type of problem can be indicative of an issue with your ear canal, middle ear or eardrum.There are several potential causes of conductive hearing loss, including: Ear infections in the outer or middle ear Severe earwax blockage Deterioration of the middle ear bones Other problems with inner ear components If you have conductive hearing loss, it may be temporary or permanent. Conducting a full hearing test with a professional is the only way to make that determination.Sensorineural Hearing LossPeople with sensorineural hearing loss may struggle to discern speech from background noises and suffer from tinnitus. This type of hearing loss is caused by a problem with the sensory receptors in the hearing system. Its often the result of an abnormality or damage to the hair cells in the cochlea, which can prevent sounds from being transmitted to the brain properly. This type of hearing loss is typically permanent.Sensorineural hearing loss can be a congenital condition in that its existed since birth. But it can also be caused by age or damage to the hair cells in the cochlea through infection, drugs, trauma or over-exposure to noise.Mixed Hearing LossFinally, its also possible for you to be experiencing mixed hearing loss. This means that you have an issue with both your inner and outer ear components. Its a diagnosis of co-occurring sensorineural and conductive hearing loss.The best way to find out what type of hearing loss you have is to schedule an appointment. Our hearing aid specialists will evaluate your hearing system through tests and let you know what your best path forward is based on the results.