The importance of maintaining ear health increases with age. To prevent serious conditions, it should be an essential element of your senior loved one’s care. Here are a few ways you can ensure your loved one’s ears remain healthy.
Clean the Ears Properly
Because earwax buildup can contribute to hearing loss, it’s important to keep your loved one’s ears clean. However, sticking a cotton swab in the ear to dig out wax can actually do more harm than good. Instead, put baby oil or mineral oil in a syringe and put a few drops in your loved one’s ears, then follow up with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide. Alternatively, you can use an irrigation device designed to clean ears.
From keeping their ears clean to managing basic housekeeping tasks, older adults often require help with a variety of activities. Every senior has different needs when aging in place. Some simply need occasional assistance with household chores, while others may be managing serious illnesses and require more extensive live-in care. Philadelphia seniors can count on Home Care Assistance to provide the in-home care they need and deserve.
Check the Ears Regularly
Having your loved one’s ears checked out by a doctor regularly is essential for maintaining ear health. A doctor will be able to look in your loved one’s ears and detect problems before they become more serious. Aside from regular checkups, make sure your loved one goes to the doctor if you or anyone else begins to question how well your loved one can hear or if he or she experiences pain or ringing in the ears.
There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to address if their families opt for professional home care service. You can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep your loved one safe and comfortable while aging in place.
Avoid Loud Noises
Sounds that are too loud, such as those coming from a stereo or television, can cause damage to your loved one’s ears, but using ear-protective headgear can save his or her hearing. If your loved one uses a hearing aid, it should never be turned up too high because it can be harmful to his or her hearing.
Prevent Swimmer’s Ear
When ears are full of water, they become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, which can cause an infection in the outer ear canal, also called swimmer’s ear. To prevent this, your loved one should shake the water out of his or her ears after being in water, including showers and baths. Using cotton swabs or sticking fingers in the ears can also cause swimmer’s ear because they introduce foreign bacteria.
Taking preventive measures to keep ears healthy may be simpler than your loved one realizes. However, if your loved one needs help with this or other grooming activities, a professional caregiver can be a wonderful source of support. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a trusted provider of Philadelphia at-home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. For more information on our senior care services, call one of our experienced Care Managers at (215) 645-4663 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.