October 2007 Entries
"Aging in Place in America" study commissioned by Clarity® and The EAR Foundation examines Seniors' and Boomers' attitudes on aging and independence
Senior citizens fear moving into a nursing home and losing their
independence more than death, according to
a new research study, “Aging
in Place in America,” commissioned by
Clarity and
The EAR Foundation,
that examines the attitudes and anxieties of the nation’s elderly
population. The children of Seniors also fear for their parents, with
particular concern about their emotional and physical well-being should
they have to enter a nursing home.
This is the third in a series of studies since 2003 commissioned by
a partnership of Clarity and The EAR Foundation to better understand
the health and lifestyle needs of America’s aging population. For
“Aging in Place in America,” two groups were surveyed to allow a
comparative analysis of the attitudes of Seniors age 65 and older who
are living at home with those of Baby Boomers who have Senior parents.
One of the most significant findings of the study is that, when
asked what they fear most, Seniors rated loss of independence (26%) and
moving out of home into a nursing home (13%) as their greatest fears.
These two possibilities are a much higher concern than death, which was
the greatest fear for only three percent of Seniors.
Other key findings include:
- Vast majority of Seniors (89%) want to age in place – or grow older without having to move from their homes -- and more than half (53%) are concerned about their ability to do so.
- Large majority (82%) of Baby Boomers fear their parents will be mistreated in a nursing home and 89% fear they will be sad.
- Seniors living at home are determined to maintain their independence; they report that they require – and receive – limited support from their children or other caregivers.
- Not only are Boomers concerned about their aging parents, almost two-thirds (63%) are providing some kind of help or support to them.
- Half of Seniors are open to using new technologies to enable
independence, including having sensors installed in their homes to
monitor their health.
- Baby Boomers have not turned to technology to assist their aging
parents. Only 14% have actually looked for solutions that would help
them ensure the health and safety of their parents.
“These findings tell us that, above all else, older Americans value
their ability to live independently,” said Peter Bell, president of
National Aging in Place Council. “As a society, we must find ways to
help our parents and grandparents live their latter years at home. We
must make aging in place a national priority and a reality for older
Americans.”
Clarity president Carsten Trads said, “Clarity and The EAR
Foundation commissioned this study because we are committed to finding
ways to enhance the quality of life for our aging population. These
findings are both concerning and eye-opening. Independent living is a
key determinant of quality of life for seniors, and we owe it to them
to create solutions that make aging in place effortless and achievable.”
Download the full "Aging in Place in America" study results (PDF)
Read the full press release about the "Aging in Place in America" study
Posted by John Hawbaker, Clarity
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The recently released BHI study, "Impact of Hearing Loss on Household Income," found that untreated hearing loss negatively affects household income, on average, by nearly $23,000 per year depending on the degree of hearing loss.
Continue reading to learn how Clarity is helping improve access to hearing loss solutions...
The September issue of Hearing Products Report featured Clarity's Chris Dutton in a panel discussion on new assistive listening technologies. In the article, Dutton discusses the factors that those with a moderate-to-severe hearing loss should consider when looking for telephony solutions and gives a sneak peak of Clarity's newest amplified phone.
Continue reading...
In the July issue of The Hearing Review, Clarity president Carsten Trads wrote an article entitled "Amplified Telephones: Past, Present, and Future".
The article begins by discussing the growing prevalence of hearing loss among Baby Boomers
More and more families are dealing with the effects of hearing loss. While hearing loss is the second most common condition in older Americans, research shows it is a growing problem among younger generations as well. Recent studies conducted by The EAR Foundation and Clarity show that Baby Boomers, who are now between the ages of 43 and 61, have more hearing-related problems than previous generations. Studies also indicate nearly half—or 38 million Baby Boomers—have some degree of hearing loss (Figure 1).
...and continues by revealing their impact on technology and innovation:
Often referred to as the "sandwich generation," because many are caught in the caregiving "sandwich" with growing children on one side and aging parents on the other, Boomers are using their pervasive influence over culture in general, and the technology industry in particular, to rewrite the rules of aging. Rather than surrendering to age-related disabilities like hearing loss, Boomers are demanding new and innovative products that greatly minimize what were once accepted as the inevitable aspects of growing older for them and the seniors in their care. So, as the number of people affected by hearing loss grows, the number of solutions is expanding as well.
Click here to read the full text of "Amplified Telephones: Past, Present, and Future" and discover what Clarity has in store for the future of the hearing industry.
Posted by John Hawbaker, Clarity
Technorati tags: Hearing Loss, Amplified Telephones, Baby Boomers, Caregivers, Sandwich Generation, EAR Foundation, Clarity
From The Hearing Review:
Hearing loss is an often-overlooked disability of Americans who have served in the military, even though nearly 30% of veterans return home from active duty with diminished hearing. Now Clarity, a division of Plantronics Inc, and The EAR Foundation, Nashville, Tenn, a national non-profit organization devoted to education, prevention and treatment of hearing loss, are calling on the country music industry to help bring attention to this important issue and to raise money for disabled veterans.
Country music artists were asked to help the cause by autographing a donated Takamine guitar at the Academy of Country Music Awards event May 15. The guitar will then be displayed as a traveling exhibit at 21 Disabled American Veterans (DAV) air shows throughout the summer in order to raise funds to support the DAV’s service and outreach for veterans.
Several prominent music artists agreed to sign the guitar before the ACM Awards. ACM Award winners Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry were the first to donate their signatures for the DAV.
“Giving our autographs is the least we can do to help our veterans,” says Gentry. “When our men and women in uniform are asked to protect our country, they don’t think twice. So if the DAV needs our signature on a guitar, consider it done. Country music has a strong tradition of supporting our troops and I hope every artist follows our lead.”
Clarity and The EAR Foundation are not new to the ACM Awards. The two organizations have attended the past three years, raising awareness of hearing loss issues and donating products to help musicians who suffer from noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
Read the full text of the article here
Posted by John Hawbaker, Clarity
Technorati tags: Hearing Loss, Country Music, Montgomery Gentry, Veterans, Disabled American Veterans, EAR Foundation, Clarity