Does your loved one have vision loss? Vision loss—even mild vision loss—can be life-changing. It affects almost all aspects of daily life which can be overwhelming for them as well as the caregiver! ❤️
If your loved one is experiencing vision loss, you can take steps to help everyday life.
Provide items that will help your loved continue their normal activities. Helpful items include large print playing cards or books, audio book devices, and high-powered magnifying lenses with built-in lighting which can be used for reading and other small items that need to be seen clearly.
As we age, changes in vision and balance increase our risk of falling at home. Removing clutter and repositioning furniture can make it easier to walk between rooms. Make sure all rugs and shower mats are slip-proof and increase lighting in the home to help you see better.
Make sure the rooms are well lite including areas where they may read or playing cards. Install brighter bulbs in the kitchen and bathrooms and use under the counter lighting to light up the counter areas. When possible, use specialized lamps/bulbs to increase contrast and reduce glare. Use nightlights in bedrooms, hallways and bathrooms to reduce the risk of tripping and falling at night.
Use contrasting colors. For instance you can place a black table cloth on the table and use white dishes. You may also consider painting door jams with a contrasting color to help detect doorways. You can also use brightly colored tape to highlight the edges of walls, doors and steps to improve safety in the home.
Designate areas in the home for commonly used items such as their phone, glasses, magnifiers, large print items or a high lumen pocket flashlight. You might consider using a basket to store items so they are easier to locate and all in one place and moved when needed. Be sure to return objects to the same place every time so that your loved one always knows where things are.
❤️ Use tactile systems to help identify objects. You can use rubber bands, raised plastic dots or glue/tape materials like felt or sandpaper on items to differentiate similar objects.
Do you have a tip that has helped you? Would you have a few minutes to leave your tip in the comment in order to help others walking this journey?
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