Most seniors experience some changes in their vision as they get older. A small amount of vision loss is normal as people age. Seniors may need reading glasses when they didn’t need glasses before. Or they may have trouble reading things from a distance. But seniors can also experience vision loss because of common medical problems like:
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
- Cataracts
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Dry eye
- Glaucoma
As well as other conditions. For seniors that want to stay in their own homes as they get older, experiencing changes in vision can be frightening. It can make seniors and their families wonder if it’s safe for those seniors to age in place. Elder care can help. When seniors have elder care they have help doing things around the house, getting to stores or appointments, and doing the things they need to do each day.
Help With Everyday Activities
Elder care providers can assist seniors with various activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and eating. For seniors with vision loss, these tasks may be more challenging, and having a trained caregiver to help ensures they can perform these tasks safely and comfortably. Having care at home also helps seniors take care of their pets.
Help With Mobility and Fall Prevention
Seniors with vision loss may face difficulties with mobility and navigating their home environment. Home care providers can offer support and guidance to help seniors move around their homes safely, minimizing the risk of falls or accidents.
Medication Management
Vision loss can make it challenging for seniors to manage their medications independently. Home care professionals can help by organizing medication schedules, reading medication labels, and ensuring the seniors take the right medications at the correct times. They can also make phone calls to get refills, and get to the store to pick up prescriptions.
Assistance with Household Chores
Home care providers can help with various household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and organizing. They can also assist in labeling and organizing items to make them easier to locate for seniors with visual impairments.
Transportation and Errands
Seniors with vision loss shouldn’t drive. But, they still need to get to the store, to the doctor, and to other places. Home care aides can provide transportation for seniors to medical appointments, social gatherings, or other errands. Having on demand transportation helps seniors feel independent and feel like they aren’t limited by their vision.
Paying Bills And Household Management
Seniors with vision loss may find it challenging to read printed materials or write. Elder care can help by reading aloud, assisting with correspondence, or using adaptive technology to access information.
Learning And Using Adaptive Devices
Elder care providers can help seniors be independent by helping them learn how to use adaptive devices. Home care providers are trained to work with various assistive devices like magnifiers, talking watches, and braille devices. They can help seniors with vision loss learn how to use these tools effectively to enhance their independence.
