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Lesson 2. Improving communication

How To Check The Person’s Ability To Hear And See

How to check the person’s ability to hear and see?​

For all communication - talking, touching or gestures – the basics, like the ability to see and hear, are important. Unfortunately, dementia may impair someone’s ability to hear and see. Therefore, it is important that you check whether the person's hearing and sight could be improved by making changes in their environment or arranging for any relevant medical check-ups.


1.Activity
Exercise to improve sight
The ability to see is important for communication. Check the items below to help improve sight.
Tips
Is there enough light? Yes
No In general, people with dementia need more light to see clearly. Increase light levels and use daylight where possible. It will help the person living with dementia to see well.
You may also think of leaving lights on at night so the person can find the bathroom.
Is there enough contrast in colours? Yes
No Dementia can make it hard to see contrasts. For example, if there is a white plate on a white table, people with dementia may have difficulty seeing the plate. A coloured plate or tablecloth may help.
Is the person living with dementia wearing their glasses? Yes
No Does the person living with dementia lose or misplace their glasses frequently? Encourage them to always put the glasses in the same spot to reduce frustration over having to look for them. Sometimes a neck cord is also helpful in that case.
Are the glasses still okay? Yes
No If the person living with dementia wears glasses, check whether they are clean and still comfortable to wear. Are the glasses comfortable around the ears and nose?
Do you need to consult a doctor? Yes
No If the person living with dementia does not have glasses, but cannot see well anymore, consult a doctor. If the person living with dementia wears glasses, check to see if the prescription is still accurate, or consult a doctor.
2.Activity
Exercise to help improve hearing
The ability to hear is important for communication. Check the items below to help improve hearing.
Tips
Is there too much noise? Yes
No Minimizing background noise will help to improve hearing. Perhaps take the person living with dementia to a quieter location with fewer distractions. Turn off the television or radio when trying to communicate with them.
If the person living with dementia has a hearing aid, is he/she wearing it? Yes
No The person living with dementia may forget to wear the hearing aid or require help or assistance with putting it in properly.
Is the hearing aid still okay? Yes
No If the person living with dementia is wearing a hearing aid, check whether it is clean, fits snugly in the ear canal, is still comfortable to wear and the batteries are charged.
Do you need to consult a doctor? Yes
No If the person living with dementia wears a hearing aid, check if the prescription is still accurate, or whether you need to consult a doctor. If the person living with dementia does not have a hearing aid, but cannot hear well anymore, you should also consult a doctor.

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