The Silent Lives of the D/deaf and the D/deaf with disabilities seniors
My role is as a deaf community welfare staff rather than a community support worker for D/deaf people and people with disabilities. The previous title of the position was a bit long, and my manager came up with a shortened title of the role. This name will be distinct from other agencies and government agencies.
Our dedication to the Waikato D/deaf Seniors group is unwavering, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing them with accurate and trustworthy information. We understand the importance of keeping seniors with disabilities informed and connected with vital networks and Health agencies, and we take this responsibility seriously. Rest assured that we will continue to fulfil our mission with the utmost dedication and determination.
For many years, I noticed many seniors living in rest homes due to their failing health, poor mobility issues, inability to look after themselves, and inability to look after their senior family members in the family household.
I worked as a health carer for approximately eight years before taking my BA. Many of these seniors in rest homes need a better quality of life where their family members limit their time to visit their loved ones.
My mind shifted to focus on the D/deaf and D/deaf with disabilities seniors in the rest homes because their ‘mother language’ is sign language. They need better information from community agencies, councils, Health sectors, and families. The staff need more time and time to communicate with any of these seniors in sign language and needs to gain experience understanding sign language.
It’s important to acknowledge that many D/deaf seniors live independently near their loved ones or within a distance. Some can drive or use public transportation, while others rely on their network of D/deaf friends, accessed through mobile or internet communication. However, it’s crucial to recognise that not all D/deaf seniors have access to these technologies, as some prioritise other essential expenses like power, food, and rates over additional bills. As a deaf historian, I have the honour of documenting the experiences and memories of D/deaf and D/deaf with disabilities seniors through interviews and recordings in books and on our website. This is a valuable way to preserve their legacy and educate future generations.
Resilience and ageing
It is intriguing to discover that possessing resilience can pave the way for favourable results, such as accomplished aging, diminished depression, and an extended lifespan. The capacity to rebound from challenging circumstances can significantly influence our overall state of being.
As we age, our ability to embrace life’s ups and downs often grows more assertive and rings especially true for older individuals who are D/deaf or have disabilities. Despite enduring countless challenges throughout their lives, they persist in maintaining a positive attitude and finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. Witnessing their capacity to safeguard their emotional well-being as they near the end of their life’s journey is truly remarkable.
Older people possess remarkable resilience when it comes to aging. Their ability to adapt to the changes that come with age is a testament to their strength and perseverance. For those who are deaf or hard of hearing, their daily struggles may include difficulties in communication, misunderstandings, and challenges in accessing important information. Despite these obstacles, these seniors continue to find ways to navigate the world around them, inspiring others with their determination and adaptability as follows:
• hearing doorbell and fire alarms without flashing lights
• understanding someone while talking without sign language
• understanding when several people are talking without sign language
• understanding when a speaker’s face is unseen or standing behind the sunshine facing the deaf senior in the poor lit room
• understanding reading the captions on TV if they can read
• understanding people in a large room without interpreters;
• being unaware someone is talking behind their back
• understanding in public places without interpreters;
• ordering food in a noisy place, difficult to read people’s lips and no menu/pictures menu
• understanding checkout operators with difficulty reading people’s lips if there is no screen showing the price detail
- losing or struggling to contact their closed Deaf seniors without mobile/internet/zoom/video chat due to limited finances
It’s important that our D/deaf seniors feel included and connected in our community. We encourage them to join our group and participate in monthly social activities with their peers to foster a vibrant and supportive environment. Today, a generation of D/deaf seniors will follow and join the group where they can meet together or have a social activity once a month or twice a month.
https://www.resilientwalker.com/resilience
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/11/18/2491
https://www.socialworktoday.com/archive/071510p18.shtml
