Mississippi - Southern

More than 30 million Americans of all ages suffer from hearing loss. Early detection of hearing loss allows for more effective intervention. In some cases, hearing loss can be corrected medically; In other cases, hearing loss cannot be cured but can be successfully managed with the use of hearing instruments.Because hearing loss is often a gradual and cumulative process it can easily develop into a significant handicap before it is diagnosed. Take this simple quiz to find out if you may have a hearing loss.1. Do you frequently ask for words or sentences to be repeated?2. Do you strain to understand conversations?3. Do you often turn up the television or radio louder than others would prefer?4. Do people often sound as though they are mumbling or speaking too softly?5. When you are socializing, does background noise bother you?6. Do you misunderstand what others are saying or answer questions inappropriately?7. Do you remove yourself from conversations or social situations because it is difficult to hear what is being said?8. Do you need to ask others about details of a meeting that you just attended?9. Do you have difficulty hearing the doorbell or telephone?10. Has someone close to you mentioned that you might have a problem with your hearing?If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, you may have a hearing problem and should have your hearing evaluated by a professional audiologist. Early detection of hearing loss, followed by proper treatment, allows for the most effective solutions to many hearing problems. New technology provides much more than simple amplification, such as adjustments for volume, background noise, directionality and different frequencies of sound. Also, youd have a difficult time noticing the new instruments in someones ear, as some instruments are very small, with shapes and colors to blend-in.The most important message here is early detection and proper treatment lead to the most effective solutions. Consult a professional audiologist if this applies to you or someone you care for.For additional information call Charlene Taylor, Au.D., Gulf Coast Audiology, 228-328-0085 .Author:Charlene Taylor

If you are an elderly mom or dad, or an adult son or daughter of an elderly parent and you live far apart from one another, you may like to know about a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM). A GCM is a professional with specific training and knowledge in caring for the elderly. Caring involves understanding the need for and application of social work, psychology, nursing, medical care, home safety and security, and home assistance. A GCM can assess an elderly persons condition and needs, recommend services, and be an advocate for wellness and independence while aging at home. Recently, a friend of mine received a call that his father fell in the bathtub and was being placed in an ambulance for a trip to the hospital. The call did not come from his mother, but from a professional care manager he hired to see after his parents who lived 525 miles away in a suburb of Chicago. His mother pressed her life alert button, the service called her, called an ambulance, then called her care manager who was there in less than 15 minutes. Our friend, her son, was assured his dad was being cared for and the care manager would keep him posted on dads condition. GCMs may be nurses, social workers, or geriatric specialists that are qualified in planning for aging and referring services for the elderly. Youve heard the term plan ahead to avoid problems ahead. Maybe its time to give attention to these things since aging, absent early death, is inevitable. One of these two things will happen and its better to be prepared either way. The website www.caremississippi.org can lead you in the right direction.

Did you know that a senior citizen mental, or behavioral, health has positive or negative effects on their physical health? Whether its pain issues, cardiovascular health or some other medical conditions, maintaining good behavioral health can significantly improve recovery time from illness and continued well-being. Specific mental health programs are designed for seniors; it's important to get the appropriate type of treatment for geriatric behavioral health.Sometimes a seniors behavioral health issues may be treated on an outpatient basis by doctors' orders and may base on group therapy. During group therapy, licensed health professionals lead the group by setting appropriate topics for group discussion and encourage members of the group to participate.Group interaction helps the senior to talk and socialize with other seniors who may have similar experiences. The senior may also receive individual, family or marital therapy if ordered by the doctor. If behavioral health needs cannot be met on an outpatient basis, more intensive services such as acute geriatric behavioral health treatment in a hospital are available. A senior may need this type of treatment due to thoughts of self-harm, not wanting to live, severe depression, anxiety, or medication management issues.How does someone go about requesting behavioral health care? The first step is a phone call to a geriatric behavioral health provider, and an assessment by a healthcare professional. Strict laws regarding rights to privacy protect all conversations and treatment, and confidentiality is protected by law. If you think that you or a loved one may benefit from these services, please call today.Ed. Note: for further information contact Daybreak Behavioral Health (affiliated with Singing River Hospital), 228-818-9015

Have you made your funeral wishes known to those you leave behind? Have you determined who will pay your burial expenses?Funerals can be a difficult topic to discuss, but a fact all our families will face one day. If you take time to preplan your funeral, you will relieve your family of a great burden at a difficult time in their lives. They will not have to make important costly decisions at a time of great stress. This is a time when emotions run high and can lead to family conflicts about your funeral plans that can be made will in advance, thoughtfully and clearly, without family disagreements and with guaranteed costs. Remember, your funeral is for those you leave behind. It's a time for family unity and love, a time to openly grieve and support one another. It's part of your legacy; a gift you can give to those who love you.How can I pre-plan? It's simple and cost effective; a pre-need funeral plan can be made and paid for in advance. Your wishes are considered in detail, clearly thinking of and planning for this time. Funding has several options; your funeral pre-need planner will explain all this to you and answer all questions. You will have peace of mind and your family will no longer be burdened with this inevitable event. It's a gift they will always be thankful for.For further information contact Sheila Stewart, pre-need planner, 228-596-1848Author: Sheila Stewart