A Presentation to the Conference of the Canadian Coalition on Seniors’ Mental Health September 24-25, 2007 by Dr. Anne

1. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks A Presentation to the Conference of the Canadian Coalition on Seniors’ Mental Health September 24-25, 2007 by Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

2. Disclosure Statement • The presenter declares that she has no conflicts of interest that may have a direct bearing on the subject matter of this presentation. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

3. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning…” Mitch Albom Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

4. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • Service to elderly Deaf people has many challenges. Viewed from a deficit model that labels people who are Deaf as handicapped and from a cultural orientation that devalues the contribution of the elderly, the opportunity may be lost to put people who are elderly and Deaf on equal footing with anyone else seeking to solve problems and thereby achieve the natural progression from birth, through adulthood to the senior years of human maturity. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

5. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • This view and orientation can change. • Seen as a lifeline that runs to meet those seeking connection, communication—be that in verbal or signed language—can bring about that change. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

6. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • Trained to see problems through the eyes of others, we, as service providers have a unique ability to honour difference and use those differences to help elderly Deaf people affirm their value and realize the potential that yet exists for self-actualization and societal contribution. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

7. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • Far from being people who only expect to be tolerated and managed until death, elderly Deaf people have a role to play as models for children and adults who are Deaf—and those who are hearing--that only they can play. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

8. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • This presentation will share the perspective of elderly Deaf people as they deal with the physical, mental, financial, social, and spiritual aspects of their lives. • Their responsesreflect the challenges facing all people as we age and bring into focus the special needs and triumphs of people who are elderly and Deaf. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

9. Regardless of age, we underline the value of every human being-- • the human need and right to communicate; • the social obligation to find ways to ensure physical, mental, financial, social and spiritual health; and • the goal to promote healthy communication and problem-solving for people of all ages. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

10. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks Questionnaire Participants: • Name: • Address: • Phone/TTY: • Email: • Gender: Participants were formed from 3 women and 2 men. • Age: All individuals were between 65-80 years of age. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

11. Language Used: • Two women and one man used American Sign Language as their primary language of communication. They read and wrote English. The other man and his wife could communicate in ASL and English but their preferred languages were Langue des Signes Québécoise and French. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

12. Etiology of Deafness: • The origins of deafness were shared by each participant. Of those who participated, no one could attribute their deafness to a genetic factor, all reported the onset as a child before the age of 4 years, the earliest being considered as a result of the mother having German measles during her pregnancy. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

13. Identification in terms of Deafness: • Of the 5 people who were involved in this study, only one considered themselves to be a person who was hard of hearing but who had become identified with the Deaf community over the years of contact. The other participants considered themselves to be Deaf, referring to their use of sign language and an identification with the Deaf cultural group for their identity. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

14. Do you consider yourself to be elderly? Yes-2(woman)No-2 (men), 1 (woman) • “I do not feel that I am an elderly, I am retired and am trying to help others live out a better life no matter what is their age, am still in good shape and try to do what is humanly possible to live out a better life.” (man, 69 yr.) • “No!” (woman, 71 yr.) Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

15. Employment Status: • … « jamais eu d’emploi stable, mais rôle de maman avec 7 enfants entendant. » (woman, 71 yr.) • Employed (1-man on his farm.) Unemployed (Duration.) 4 -22 years (3 women) • Retired (Duration)4-22 years • Volunteer work (volunteer work with the Deaf in their community) Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

16. Financial Status: • What are your financial needs? To pay for my home and a my needs for recreation and additional medical care. • Are your financial needs being met? (Please circle one.) Yes-3 No-1, Petite pension inadequate, Not getting full pension Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

17. Physical Health Status: • What are your physical health needs? Taking care of myself. • Are your physical health needs being met? (Please circle one.) Yes No • How are your physical health needs being met? Ma famille aide. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

18. Mental Health Status: • What are your mental health needs? « Oui, aide de mes enfants et mon mari. » • Are your mental health needs being met? Yes-5 “Débrouille moi-même.” « Getting along very nice. » • How are your mental health needs being met? Getting involved with my family & making sure I am mentally alert and taking proper care of myself. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

19. Social Health Status: • What are your social needs? « Sortie et rencontre d’autres personnes vie intéressante. » “Socializing with others is a great help.” • Are your social needs being met? Yes-5 No • How are your social needs being met? “Contact avec ma famille, mes ami(es). » “Making sure that I know what is expected of me.” • How are your social needs not being met? « Quelques entendant ne comprend pas la culture des Sourds. » “My social needs are adequate as they are now.” Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

20. Spiritual Health Status: • What are your spiritual needs? “To follow Spiritual guidance.” • Are your spiritual needs being met? Yes-5 No • How are your spiritual needs being met? « Lecture et rencontre avec les autres croyants. » “Interacting with others who understand how to be able to help others have a better guidance.” Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

21. Do you believe that people who are elderly and Deaf are on equal footing with anyone else seeking to solve problems? • Yes-4. “Being a good leader and giving good examples to follow & making sure others are influenced.” • If not, why not? No-1. « Quelques entendant ne comprend pas la culture des Sourds. » Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

22. Do you believe that your contribution as an elderly person is valued? If so, by whom and how is the value of your contribution maximized? • Yes-5 No « Je suis capable de me débrouiller et donner exemples aux autres. » “Must have an open mind and understand how to open up communication with those who have a hard time to understand and try to find a way to make them more aware.” Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

23. As an elderly Deaf person, do you believe you have a role to play as a model for children and adults who are Deaf? • Yes-5 « Préparer budget, rôle de ménagère , préparations de repas, couture, tricoter, crochetage, lire différents besoins de préparer les choses suivant le patron demandé. “Be a good leader and train others. If they have a closed mind, try to open communication channel and find out how to get them to open up and respond.” Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

24. As an elderly Deaf or Hard of Hearing person, do you believe you have a role to play as a model for children and adults who are hearing? “Helping them learn to understand how to communicate effectively in the preferred sign language of those who are Deaf or Hard of hearing in their own language. Find out the best way to help them learn what they need to learn.” Don’t give up! Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

25. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • “When we see two Deaf individuals communicating using sign language, we can see the richness of the true Deaf language but even the communication between the Deaf varies.” Roger St. Louis Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

26. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • “Like other linguistic and cultural minorities, we embrace our identity through our language and culture.” Chris Kenopic Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

27. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks While form will say much about the message and messenger, in the end it is the ability to make oneself understood that will hold the key to communication. Remember: ☺”We cannot not communicate” (Watzlawick, Bavelas, & Jackson, 1967, p. 75) Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

28. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • ☺People who are elderly and Deaf face barriers to communication that can be overcome in their own time and in their own way; • ☺Life is more that just the ceaseless striving to achieve; it is to live and to live life to last moment in communication, or in other words, in connection with each other; Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

29. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • ☺We learn through our strengths; • ☺People who are elderly and Deaf have a right to have their employment, financial, education, emotional, social and spiritual needs met; Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

30. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • ☺Remember that being part of a linguistic or cultural majority does not mean that you know what is best for anyone but yourself; Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

31. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • ☺Be aware that those who are elderly and Deaf may not appreciate you, they may judge you, they may expect you to take care of them and may blame you when they are not articulate enough to represent themselves well; Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

32. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • ☺Strive to educate all those with whom you have contact. Look for the opportunities to open the minds of others. It will be difficult for those you meet to hold prejudice when their minds have been opened to the information, experience, and relationships that have changed your life; Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

33. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • ☺Look outside the blinders of disability and age and, by your example, encourage people who are Deaf to do the same; • ☺Overcome your fear to ask and be involved with people who are elderly and Deaf. Most of the world has not even begun to consider the problems or possibilities of elderly people who choose to belong to a linguistic and cultural minority–of people who are more different than disabled! Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

34. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • Language is culture but it is also the base of our humanness. Without communication, without really getting to know one another, it is easy to make assumptions, to prejudge and act in discriminatory ways. We will never know everyone in the world but we have a long way to go before we can ever oppress another because they use another language, identify with another culture, and are past a certain age. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

35. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks “For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.” Henry R. Banks “It’s your attitude not your aptitude which determines your altitude in life.” Unknown Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

36. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fall.” Confuscius “One of the most beautiful compensations of life is that no man can sincerely try to help another without inadvertently helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

37. All I Ever Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten • Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandbox at nursery school. • These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

38. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why but we are all like that. • Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup they all die. So do we. • And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all: LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

39. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks • Think of what a better world it would be if all of us the whole world had cookies with milk about three o’clock every afternoon and then laid down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. • And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

40. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks Thank you for being part of this presentation. Be well at every age and stage of your life! Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.

41. Communication: The Lifeline of the Elderly Deaf and Those who Wait to Join Their Ranks Bridging worlds, bringing people, together...Dr. Anne Toth, R.S.W.