Low Vision
In-Home Care for Visually Impaired Seniors
When your loved one begins to lose their vision, they may begin to rely on your support more than ever before. But if you don’t have experience with vision loss, it can be challenging to know the best way to give your loved one with low vision the care and attention they need. Age-related vision changes that can’t be corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery are sadly common. At Choice Health at Home, our home care providers work with seniors suffering from low vision and blindness. These providers rely on effective elder care strategies to reduce the risk of accidental injuries and make daily life easier to navigate.
Fall prevention is an important aspect of home health. This includes carefully assessing and taking action to reduce the risk of slipping, tripping, or falling in the home. If your loved one has partial vision, you may want to consider making changes to your living space if it has falling hazards. For example, get rid of clutter like loose cords or rugs and encourage your loved one to wear rubber-soled shoes with a good tread. Consider replacing lights with higher-wattage bulbs to better illuminate the space and apply brightly colored tape to the lip of each step on staircases. Keep nightlights on in the hallways and bathrooms at night so your loved one doesn’t have to search for a light switch in the dark.
The Role of Occupational Therapy for Vision-Impaired Older Adults
Occupational therapists help low-vision clients by:
Teaching new skills, such as eccentric viewing and visual tracking
Modifying tasks or environment, such as recommending magnifiers
Promoting a healthy lifestyle and ensuring they can participate in their ADLs