If you are a ‘Self Funder’ – paying for your own care, either in a care home or through a domiciliary care agency in your own home then you may well have to pay for your own glasses and hearing aid, should you require them.
Opticians – Figures suggest that over half a million Britons over the age of 75 have extremely poor eyesight.
You are entitled to a free NHS sight test within your own home if you are;
– Unable to leave home unassisted or you have a physical or mental disability
And
– You are aged over 60
– Under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education
– Registered blind or partially sighted
– Diagnosed as having diabetes or glaucoma or at risk of glaucoma
– Prescribed a complex lens
– Receiving certain benefits or credits
You will need to check with your local authority to discover if, as a self funder, you are eligible for spectacles on the NHS. It is worth remembering however, that if you have not had an eye check within two years and your lose your glasses the optician is not legally allowed to dispense you another pair of glasses without testing your eyesight. Clearly this can be challenging for somebody who has perhaps developed dementia during this time.
Hearing loss – Approximately 72% of people who are hearing impaired are over 60 years of age and being unable to hear properly tends to creep up on you and as a result of this many people are unaware of their hearing loss.
Being unable to hear properly has been linked in studies to;
– Anxiety and irritability
– Stress, depression and paranoia
– Anger and helplessness
– Isolation, loneliness and social withdrawal
– Increased risk to personal safety (i.e. fire alarms)
The signs of hearing loss are often more apparent to those around the individual who is experiencing the problem;
– Difficulty hearing in noisy environments
– Needing frequent repetition
– Responding inappropriately to conversation
– Restraining from favourite hobbies
Hearing loss can be caused by many things, for example;
– Ageing (Presbyacusis)
– Exposure to excessive noise levels
– Infections or injuries
– Reaction to drugs
– Congenital and genetic defects
In order to fully take part in the life and activities around you it is important to be able to hear to the best of your ability. The NHS will provide hearing aids and you will need to speak to your GP in order to be referred. Alternatively you can see a private hearing aid specialist who will be able to help you.
One further point to consider with an NHS hearing aid, it will require quarterly check-ups to maintain it’s full performance and the NHS does not maintain hearing aids when you live in a care home.
In conclusion, do not underestimate the importance of being able to see and hear properly as it can easily lead to confusion and isolation from those around you – separating you from the activities and social life of family, friends, staff and other residents. As a Self Funder you should be able to arrange for these services to come to you, if you are unable to visit the optician or hearing aid specialist.