Aging and Developmental Disabilities

• You may have trouble:
  • Reading small print in your newspaper
  • Hearing music on your radio
  • Tasting your favorite foods
  • Telling when it is hot or cold
  • Moving around quickly and easily

• Your body changes in ways that cause a decline in your senses.
• As your senses decline, it can become harder for you to:
  • See
  • Smell
  • Hear 
  • Feel
  • Taste
  • Balance

• When you can not see or hear as well, you may not know you are in harm’s way.
• When you can not taste or smell as well, you may eat spoiled food or foods that are not healthy.
• When you can not feel you may get cut or burned more easily.
• When you can not balance as well, you may fall more easily.

• However, people with developmental disabilities may experience these signs of growing older at an earlier age than other people. 
• If you know what to expect, you can take steps to keep safe!

• You may find that:
  • You have dry, scratchy eyes
  • You cannot see things clearly
  • You cannot see things that are very close to your face or far away
  • You cannot see as well in the dark

• Visit your eye doctor and ask if glasses will help you see better.
• Buy books and magazines with large print.
• Get a night light for your bedroom and bathroom to help you see at night.

• You may find that:
  • You have a harder time hearing when there is noise in the background
  • You hear noises such as ringing or buzzing that are not really there
  • You cannot hear sounds that are quiet 

• See your doctor and ask if you need:
  • a hearing test
  • a hearing aid
  • extra wax cleaned from your ears
  • Ask people to speak clearly and slowly when they are talking to you.
  • Try to talk with people in quiet places.

• You may find that:
  • You are not able to taste food, like sweet and sour items, as well as you once did 
  • You may not feel thirsty, even when you need to drink
  • You cannot smell certain odors, such as smoke, as well as you could before

• Use more spices on your food; But, avoid using more salt!
• Make sure to drink a lot of water.
• Check to see that smoke detectors in your house are working properly.

• You may find that
  • Your skin becomes dryer and thinner
  • You cannot feel pain on your skin as well as you could in the past
  • You have trouble staying warm in cool temperatures
  • You have trouble staying cool in hot temperatures

• Use moisturizing lotion to prevent dry skin.
• Ask someone to check your bath or shower water to make sure it is not too hot or too cold.
• Check the thermostat or weather report when you are deciding what to wear.

• You may find that:
  • Your arms and legs feel stiff or sore
  • You have a hard time getting up when you have been sitting down 
  • You are not as strong as you were
  • You stumble or fall more often

• Ask your doctor what exercises can help keep you strong.
• Hold onto the railings when you are on the stairs.
• If you use a cane or walker, make sure you use it correctly  

• Your doctor can tell you if the changes you are experiencing are normal, or signs of illness.
• Your doctor can give you advice that can help you adjust to these changes

• By talking with your doctor and making some small changes in your life, you can stay safe and healthy while you age.