Caring for Aging Parents “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) Week 7 | Mental and Emotional Health| April 26, 2015

Mental and Emotional Health April 26, 2015  Dementia  Alzheimer’s disease  Senility  Depression  Other common neurological disorders (Parkinson’s Disease, Neuropathy, Myopathy, ALS)  Abusive behavior that can accompany mental illness Caring for Aging Parents 2

Our Faith A time to share… Caring for Aging Parents 3

Our Prayer today  Patience, understanding, resiliency, and an extra measure of compassion as our loved one becomes someone we never knew Caring for Aging Parents 4

Comments from our panelists… Caring for Aging Parents 5

Debbie Miller Debbie Miller is a Dementia Care Specialist with 10 years of experience as a dementia educator, helping family and professional caregivers better understand Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Her hands on workshops provide practical care techniques that make the caregiving experience a positive on Caring for Aging Parents 6

Debbie Miller “Caring for our Seniors is perhaps the greatest responsibility we have.” Caring for Aging Parents 7

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Elizabeth Welch Dr. Elizabeth Welch is an audiologist in Franklin, TN who specializes in hearing and balance disorders. She has been practicing in Williamson County for 17 years. Elizabeth is the owner of Hearing Services of Franklin Caring for Aging Parents 15

Elizabeth Welch “According to a study by John Hopkins, Seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those with normal hearing. Hearing aids could help delay or even prevent dementia in those patients with untreated hearing loss.” Caring for Aging Parents 16

Study of 600 older adults found that those with HL are more likely to develop dementia than older adults with normal hearing. John Hopkins Study Caring for Aging Parents 17

Hearing Loss and Increased risk of Cognitive Decline  Degraded Sound – Brain focuses of coping and often times to the detriment of thinking and memory  Brain Atrophy – “use it or lose it” Areas of processing sound are same areas where memory and sensory integration occur  Social isolation – numerous studies show loneliness as a risk factor for cognitive decline Caring for Aging Parents 18

Cognitive Decline  Studies have been linked to Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline  Although hearing aids DO NOT prevent Dementia, untreated hearing loss does show a greater decline and therefore, hearing aid use can have a significant impact on dementia Caring for Aging Parents 19

Mike Norwood Mike Norwood retired from 12 years with TN Dept. of Health after being in retail 4 years and in ministry 32 years. He currently acts as Conservator and Guardian for his mother-in-law who resides at Claiborne Hughes in Franklin. She suffers from vascular dementia and has been in residential care for over 6 years Caring for Aging Parents 20

Mike Norwood “My mother-in-law speaking about her daughter said to me, ‘How can you stand being married to her?’” Caring for Aging Parents 21

Resources Available Caring for Aging Parents 22

Everything in One Place Caring for Aging Parents 23