Happy New Year! I understand this is common, but I’d like to find a solution! My hearing-impaired Mom has vascular dementia, arthritic hands & is in assisted living. After she repeatedly lost her delicate (very expensive) in-ear hearing aids, we replaced them with an inexpensive over-the-counter set; but these are now gone, too. She does have a Pocket Talker but will not use it without prompting. Any specific recommendations for an affordable over-the-counter product that is ‘easy to use’ but ‘hard to lose’? There are many OTC hearing devices online but I’d like to spare her hassle of a trial-and-error process. *She cannot efficiently type or hand-write to communicate. Many thanks for your thoughts!
If you find her hearing aids or go with a cheap new OTC device, consider using a brightly colored tether, or clips. There are many versions available online. Many in MC might still need reminders to use them. I believe there are also bright colored sleeves that can be slipped over the devices to make them more visible.
My dad also “lost” his HAs in memory care. Once i found them in a stack of clean towels in the community shower, where my dad had probably placed them to keep them safe before he stepped in the shower (he refused to shower with the assistant inside the room). My nephew used to work in AL and he would agree with you that many of these items end up in the trash or left on a lunch tray. He also said to search under the cushions of furniture in their living spaces including the community areas. Unfortunately they sometimes find their way into other residents’ pockets and rooms so hopefully the staff can keep a lookout.
Best of luck to you.
I provided the same pix to the laundry room, the med tech so she can keep a picture of them on her desk, and the DON. I let them know that DH will cooperate better with everyone if he hears what they say. I followed the same routine with his glasses.
Now they watch out for these items and return them to his room if they find them. I also made them aware that he has tried to eat his hearing aids, and they've watched him stirring his food with his glasses. Now that they are aware of the problems, they are very alert to make sure the problems are avoided before they occur. They return his misplaced HAs and glasses regularly. The aides want to do their jobs well, but unless we make them aware of what's necessary for our LOs, they can't. The extra effort I put into this has been worth it. Husband is much more alert and communicates better when he can see and hear, plus research indicates that being able to hear decreases cognitive decline.
I suggest going the extra mile and making sure everyone in the facility knows what they need to do. Make friends with the aides and impress them that you are there to help them do their jobs. It works for me.
I think at this point you should just stick with a pocket talker and prompt her. Mom is in Assisted Living. She is expected to do a lot on her own. Memory care may be a better place for her.