Elder Care in Fresno, CA: Caring for a Senior Parent with Low Vision

Low vision is one of the leading causes of disability throughout the United States. Unlike other forms of visual impairment, low vision can’t be corrected with glasses, medicine, or surgery. If your loved one suffers from low vision, you may find yourself scrambling to figure out how to give your loved one a higher quality of life.

Adjusting your loved one’s home can help them adapt to their new normal and thrive despite it. A professional elder care provider (i.e. Visiting Angels of Fresno) can help your loved one adjust accordingly and transition smoothly into a new stage of life.   

Facts About Low Vision

Some of the most common signs for low vision include glare or haziness, night blindness, blurred vision, difficulty seeing when driving, difficulty reading, and difficulty recognizing faces.

Eye diseases and health conditions that can cause age-related low vision include cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, and diabetes.

It’s very important to ensure your loved one is receiving regular appointments with the eye doctors. Here, you’ll be able to check for early warning signs quickly and proactively make changes needed to give your loved one a better life.

Emotional Impact of Low Vision

Dealing with low vision is a heavy burden for a senior to carry. They may isolate themselves from family and friends in an effort to protect themselves from getting embarrassed.           

Research has shown seniors who deal with low vision can develop depression, isolation, and loneliness through the emotional impact of their condition.

Your loved one needs a support system of family members, friends, and healthcare providers to provide emotional support and help they need during this time to live a life that’s as independent as possible.

How to Help a Senior With Low Vision

Changing your loved one’s environment can help them adapt to their new level of vision and prevent injuries. To help your loved one, an elder care professional can step in to implement the following changes on your home:

• Add more light: Light helps objects and words around your home become easier to recognize. For example, try adding motion-activated lights in the home’s high-trafficked areas (hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.)
• Bring in a driver: Hiring a driver (i.e. an elder care professional) can help your loved one maintain their day-to-day routines without low vision getting in the way.
• Make text larger: Large text is much easier for those with low vision to comprehend than small text. Change belongings around your home (i.e. books, smartphones, etc.) to use large-print instead.
• Safeguard against accidents with high-contrast markers: Minimize the chance of your loved one injuring themselves by outlining the edges of steps, tables, and other obstructions with high-contrast tape. For example, if you have white floors, line obstacles with black tape.

Making a few adjustments throughout the home can help your loved one better manage their low vision. To learn more about Visiting Angels of Fresno’s elder care, call us today at 559-550-6573.