Are Your Senses Sending You an SOS?

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted August 30, 2024

As you journey into and through your golden years, you’re bound to notice some changes in how you experience the world.

You may have found yourself turning up the volume on the TV more often or holding the newspaper at arm’s length to read it.

Well, you’re not alone… but there’s more to these changes than meets the eye.

And ignoring them could come at a steep cost.

You’re in good company if you’ve noticed changes in how you see, hear, or even smell things. In fact, up to 94 percent of U.S. adults experience some dulling of their senses over time.

It’s a natural part of aging, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore it.

Now, you might think these changes are just minor annoyances, but researchers at the University of Chicago Medicine say that’s often not the whole truth. In fact, they’ve found that this fading of your senses can significantly affect your mental health.

The team studied nearly 4,000 older adults over 10 years. They looked at changes in vision, hearing, and smell and how these related to mental health.

Here’s what they found:

• When more than one sense starts to decline, it can lead to loneliness and affect mental well-being.
• If three senses are affected, you might be more prone to experiencing depression.
• Vision problems, in particular, seemed to have the strongest link to feeling lonely and having poorer mental health.

Understanding this connection is crucial for several reasons. First, it helps you take better care of yourself and others. Plus, it encourages you to pay more attention to changes in your senses. And finally, it reveals that taking care of your senses is also a way of taking care of your mental health.

Luckily, there are several things you can do to help yourself and those you care about…

• Be patient with yourself and your peers who might be struggling with sensory changes.
• Feel free to ask people to speak more clearly or to use written notes for important information.
• Have your vision and hearing tested regularly.
• Explore helpful tech like hearing aids, magnifiers, or text-to-speech programs.
• Advocate for policies that make public spaces more accessible for everyone.

So, don’t feel bad the next time you find yourself squinting at a menu or asking someone to repeat themselves.

Remember, these changes are a natural part of aging, and it’s okay to ask for some extra support from time to time. Because when you do, you can continue to live a full, connected, and happy life well into your golden years.

And another thing…

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P.S. Are hearing aids worth it? Click for the warning you need to see!

Source:

Alexander Z. Wang, Kristen E. Wroblewski, Louise Hawkley, Jayant M. Pinto. Types of sensory disability are differentially associated with mental health in older US adults over time. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2024; DOI: 10. 1111 /jgs.19056

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

View More By Dr. Scott Olson, ND