Seniors and Signing

by Janeel Hew
(Molokai, Hawaii)

I have an aunt who is deaf in one ear from an accident when she was little. She is 83 now. Back then they just said well we can't help you, you still have one good ear. Her hearing in that is now a frustration for her. She is my eldest and most favorite auntie...I would die for her in a heartbeat.

Anything that she asks of me I will do. She made me PINK curtains; And I have them hanging on my window today. When someone comments, I simply say; "I love my Auntie." I usually make her phone calls for her and I have picked up on her facial expressions when she can't hear what someone is saying...and that's when I repeat it in a way that she can understand. She knows that I know some signing (a little) and has asked me to teach her.

So I came up with this great Idea...Why not teach all the seniors at the senior center. It would be great for them to practice with each other and communication would be less stressful.

My questions are: What do you feel would be the hardest for them to learn? How do people with arthritis sign? Are there signs for seniors that are easier for them in movement?

I want to complete this ASL 1 class before I start working with them as a group. So I hope that you won't mind if I ask more questions as I go on.

I really like that you invite others to share their questions and answers. We are able to find answers to things we didn't even know we were curious about. This will help me when I am asked a question.

I really like all the work that you have dedicated to this site. I am proud of you. Good job. I mean that too.

I also wanted to ask on a more personal note... How do we know what you think of our written assignments? It is great that others can comment but how do we know what your feedback is?

I live on Molokai, in Hawaii, and there are no events listed here. How can I go about getting that interaction that I should have?

Thanks in advance,
Smile It's Just Me!

Answer:

Hello Janeel,

Great questions! I'll answer them one by one.

What do you feel would be the hardest for them to learn?

I think that ASL grammar would be the hardest for them to learn. That really seems to be the hardest for anyone to learn. If you are going to work with them, I suggest sticking to Pidgin Signed English (PSE). That is where you use English word order, but ASL signs. So, just focus mostly on vocabulary. Since they will be using it to communicate with each other (who are not involved in the deaf community) I think this would be the most effective for everyone.

How do people with arthritis sign?

Here is a webpage I found with some great info about using ASL when you have arthritis: ASL and Arthritis.

I think it's interesting to know that ASL is considered therapeutic for arthritis because it helps movements and circulation. I didn't know that! :)

Are there signs for seniors that are easier for them in movement?

I think that simple signs would be best--ones that stick with the most basic handshapes (A B O S 1 5) and movements. Signs like the ones you will find here are the easiest to make.

How do we know what you think of our written assignments? It is great that others can comment but how do we know what your feedback is?

I used to leave comments on all of the submissions in the Deaf History section, but there have been so many that I don't have the time. Most people don't have notifications set up or anything, so I don't think a lot of people even read them. I usually only put comments on the submissions where people leave their email addresses so I can almost be sure my feedback isn't falling on deaf ears (no pun intended :))

I live on Molokai, in Hawaii, and there are no events listed here. How can I go about getting that interaction that I should have?

I actually go into detail about this in DJSC! A Student's Guide to ASL and the Deaf Community. There is so much to this question that I cannot explain it all here. If you are serious about learning ASL and getting involved, I suggest picking up that book. You can get it here.

Let me know if I can be of any more help. :)

God bless,

Michelle Jay

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Seniors and Signing