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Ways to Assist Seniors With Poor Vision

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As individuals grow older, they begin to lose their ability to see clearly. Irrespective of the cause of poor eyesight in seniors, the result is always the same; frustration due to reduced independence. Follow these tips to make sure that your elderly navigate the world with comfort and ease regardless of a drop in vision.

Proper Lighting Is Essential

Ensure that their environment is well-lit but be cautious of glare. Utilize specialized lamps to lower glare and improve contrast. For every activity a senior engages in, you have to make sure that suitable lighting is provided. Furthermore, avoid major differences in lighting like a bright bulb shining in a dark room. Ensuring that the lights stay on during the day aids in equalizing lighting from outdoor and indoor sources.

Take Steps to Reduce Falls

To lower the chances of falling or tripping at night in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms, make use of nightlights in these areas of your home. Reduce clutter and eliminate hazards such as electrical cords and throw rugs. You can also consider relocating or replacing difficult-to-see items and furniture like a side table. You may even have to rearrange the layout of your home a bit for easier navigation.

Increase Household Organization

Delegate spots for regularly used objects and ensure these items are returned to the same spot so that your aging loved ones will always know where they are. Integrating visual and tactile systems can also aid the elderly navigate their surroundings easier. Placing rubber bands or sandpaper cutouts on certain objects to differentiate them or mark their placements is an example of a tactile system. While a visual system utilizes any remaining vision to organize and identify objects.

Use Contrasting Colors

A proper blend of dark and light colors will make day-to-day activities for an aging individual who hasn't lost their vision completely. Similar colors can make it hard for seniors with poor eyesight to detect stairs, doorways, and furniture. This concept is particularly useful in monotone settings like bathrooms. Provide bath mats, washcloths, and towels that contrast with the color of tubs or showers, flooring, and counters.

Work With an Optometrist

Optometrists have the experience and knowledge to contrive personalized solutions for visually impaired individuals' specific needs. Vision rehabilitation will also help with methods of marking, labeling, and organizing household items, as well as mobility training. These specialists are conversant with resources for obtaining poor eyesight aids, such as contact lenses or telescopic glasses, and instruct individuals on how to properly utilize them.

Offer Moral Support

It is also essential to create a solid support system for aging loved ones with deteriorating eyesight. You have to encourage your elderly loved one to spend time with friends and hold on to the hobbies they enjoy. Furthermore, encourage honest and open communication also. Let them know that they can come to you if new symptoms arise.

The elderly are often worried that visual impairments will negatively impact their capability to live independently. However, by following these tips, you can improve their ability to complete daily tasks independently. Furthermore, if you feel that you won't be able to take care of your aging loved one all by yourself, you should consider an elderly care facility.


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