How to Take Care of Your Senses

As we age, our senses become less sharp and affect how we interpret our surroundings. The loss of our senses can cause frustration, lack of self-worth, isolation, and possibly lead to injuries from falls.

Some sensory loss can be avoided. Let’s take it sense by sense.

Sight

When you reach your forties, the natural flexibility of lenses in your eyes may change and become more rigid, making it more difficult to see up close. This is called presbyopia. Various health issues may also affect your eyesight.

Protect Your Eyesight

• Avoid eye strain
• Perform tasks in proper lighting
• Limit the time you spend looking at anything for an extended period, whether it is up close or far away. For example, if you are reading, take a break every once in a while and look off to the distance to give your eyes a break, or just sit quietly and close your eyes for a minute or two and give your entire body a quick break
• Protect your eyes with sunglasses if you are going outdoors
• If you have prescription glasses, wear them
• Get proper nutrition
• Eyes have nutritional needs, too. Omega-3 fatty acids, and Vitamins C and E may promote eye health. Eating citrus fruits, leafy green vegetables which are high in lutein, nuts, and fatty fish will help keep your eyes healthy
• Avoid smoking
• Monitor your general health
• Manage your high blood pressure or diabetes - they can be detrimental to eye health
• Have your eyes checked once a year or with any significant change in vision

Care for Your Glasses

• Use an eyeglass necklace to lessen the chance of losing them
• Clean glasses regularly
• If you live in assisted living or long-term care, consider having your name etched into the arm of the glasses

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Hearing

There are several reasons why we lose hearing as we age. Approximately one in three people between the age of 65 -74 experience hearing loss. As you get older, the percentage increases to almost 50 percent. 

Causes of Hearing Loss

• Presbycusis – the gradual loss of hearing as one ages
• Overexposure to noise for long periods of time
• Viral or bacterial infection
• Heart condition, stroke, head injury, or tumor
• Medication side effects

Protect Your Ears

• Follow up with a medical professional with any sign of hearing loss or pain
• Eat well - a healthy nutritional intake is important for your hearing
• Limit exposure to loud noise; once the small hair cells in your ears are destroyed they cannot be replaced

In the event of hearing loss, think about hearing devices and follow these tips:

• If the concern of losing the hearing device is the deterrent, consider insurance or ask your professional about a minimally visible tether for the device
• If you live in assisted living or long-term care, consider putting your initials on the hearing aids.
• Inform others of your hearing loss and ask them to face you, to speak clearly, and to use expressions and gestures when they engage you in conversation
• Minimize background noise

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Taste and Smell

Your senses of taste and smell can diminish with age as the taste buds and nerves in the nose degenerate. As changes occur with your sense of smell and taste, your appetite can also wane.

In addition, one of the following might be a factor in diminished senses:

• Nasal sinus conditions
• Allergies
• Poor dental hygiene
• Medication side effects
• Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s

Here’s what can you do to help:

• Be social – eat with someone
• Try different flavors
• Watch your salt intake
• Avoid smoking
• Get proper nutrition
• Limit alcohol intake with meals
• Drink more water
• Exercise
• Eat foods that look like themselves
• Eat a different type of food with each bite

Touch

As we age, changes in our skin and nervous system may decrease the sensitivity of our sense of touch. Changes in the skin can occur due to:

• Poor nutrition
• Circulatory issues
• Skin and nerve damage
• Brain disorders
• Medication side effects
• Smoking
• Sun damage

How can we help minimize these changes?

• Proper nutrition
• Proper skin care
• Exercise
• Proper sun exposure

Why Should I Take Care of My Senses?

Changes in our five senses can influence our balance, pain threshold, the ability to realize temperature changes, and sense of motion and pressure. This can lead to an increase in falls or injuries and a decrease in quality of life. It’s important to adapt and attend to the changes in our bodies.

So take care of your entire body- it makes sense!

Get more health, wellness, and lifestyle tips from The Bristal’s blog:

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