Elderly Deaf People in Denmark Deserve a Dignified Life

Elderly Deaf People in Denmark Deserve a Dignified Life

A survey run by Danish Deaf Association (DDL) back in 1999 showed that elderly deaf people in Denmark aged over 65 are depending on sign language whenever communicating and they have a special need for being supervised in order to avoid utter isolation and loneliness.

This is why since the year 2000 DDL has worked hard on making a supervising programme for the elderly.

The supervising programme is based on having supervisors visiting the elderly deaf citizens and helping them sort out communication issues as well as referring them to any relevant authorities, activities, networks, advisors etc. The programme is a success and 70% of the elderly deaf citizens use it whenever needed.

Whenever elderly deaf people consult doctors or attend meetings there is an interpreter present and thus the need for the supervising programme can be difficult to understand. Never the less the fact is that the use of interpreters at various meetings has only recently been an option for elderly deaf people meaning that they are not yet accustomed to the experience of using one.

- Many elderly deaf people actually do not understand the interpreter. Even though the communication is being interpreted the elderly often most need further explanation as well as guidance in order to recall what the doctor prescribed. How many pills did I have to take? And which ones? The supervisor can act as an assessor and furthermore she can partake in crisis meetings if the elderly falls ill or has a spouse leaving for a residential home, Tove Ravn says.

Deaf People Keep to Themselves
Furthermore the supervisors play a crucial domiciliary part in contacting elderly deaf citizens having reached the age of 65 in order to offer assistance. In fact many local municipalities do not realize that they house deaf citizens until the elderly is offered the mandatory visit upon turning 75.

Unfortunately DDL is familiar with several incidences in Denmark where elderly deaf citizens lived isolated lives without any tools of aid like for instance transportation arrangements and zimmer frames.

For any further information please contact the project coordinator Tove Ravn on tr@deaf.dk