Elder Care Solutions Professionals Share 5 Ways To Help A Senior With Vision Loss

Scientists have long studied the link between vision loss and aging, and it has become accepted that seniors have a much higher chance of losing their vision as they get older than they do when they’re young. And the problem isn’t going away anytime soon. According to the National Eye Health Education Program, the number of seniors suffering from some type of visual impairment is expected to double over the next 30 years. While the numbers don’t paint a perfect picture, elder care solutions professionals stress that there are plenty of things that family members and caretakers alike can do to help the seniors in their life that are dealing with vision loss. Here are just a few of them.

Knowing the symptoms

It goes without saying, but you can’t help someone with a visual impairment if you don’t know that they’re dealing with one. Elder care solutions experts, over the years, have identified some telltale signs that a senior may be dealing with vision loss. If you or someone you are taking care of exhibits any of these symptoms with regularity, it may be time to see a doctor about their vision.

• Bumping into walls
• Squinting at the TV or while reading
• Being unable to read street signs
• Wearing mismatched clothing
• Leaving stains on their shirt all day (on accident)

Adjusting their living space

Once you’ve gotten confirmation that you or a loved one is dealing with visual impairments, elder care solutions experts say that making some simple changes around their house or apartment can go a long way in keeping them safe and making them still feel in control. Here are some of the common adjustments you can make to a senior’s home to help them with their vision loss.

• Better lighting goes a long way. Using bright, fluorescent bulbs instead of the standard ones can immediately improve the vision of someone suffering from an impairment.
• Instead of having dark-colored furniture and paint, opt for a bright, white or other vibrant color when choosing decorations. Brighter colors are easier to identify, thus leading to less instances of accidental trips or bumps into walls.
• Help them get organized. If you start designating spaces in their home where items go every time, they are less likely to feel frustrated when they can’t find where something is.

Help them accept what is happening

If you or your loved one is having trouble accepting the vision loss that is happening as they get older, being a supportive caretaker can go a long way in helping them mentally, elder care solutions experts say. Be a good listener and offer to help in any way you can. Tell them that while the impairments are obviously frustrating, science is getting better every day and experts are learning new ways to help them deal with life all the time.