How to Support a Senior With Vision Loss

Did you know 1 in 4 people over the age of 65 have a chance of experiencing vision loss? The ability to see is one of our greatest senses that we may take for granted – until it’s gone. If an aging family member has developed a visual impairment, what can you do to help during this difficult transition?

First, understand the most common causes of vision loss.

Causes of Vision Loss

According to Vision Loss Resources, there are several causes of visual impairment.

• Cataracts: The lens behind your pupil becomes cloudy. This can occur at birth, with age or following an eye injury.
• Complications of Diabetes: Blood vessels in the tissue that lines the back of the eye burst and bleed into the eye.
• Glaucoma: Increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve. This can occur as a result of excess fluid in the eye or poor drainage.
• Macular Degeneration: The tiny area in the middle of the retina can deteriorate over time. Macular degermation is the leading cause of blindness in people over 55.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa: This inherited eye disease causes the retina to deteriorate. Vision loss begins at the edges of the eyes and slowly becomes narrow “tunnel vision”.
• Hemianopsia: Vision loss on one side of an eye due to a stroke or tumor.

What Should You Consider?

If an aging loved one has developed vision loss, there are many factors to bear in mind. He or she may no longer be able to drive, walk without support or perform activities of daily living (ADLs). If mom or dad needs help with ADLs, bringing in a home aide could help with bathing, dressing and feeding. Although your loved one may be hesitant to ask for help, this is often the only option to maintain some level of independence. There are services that allow the visually disabled to continue the activities they love, including visual rehabilitation.

When vision loss puts your loved one at risk for falls and other injuries, the home needs to be modified with safety features like grab bars and additional lighting.

No matter if the impairment was sudden or gradual, your loved one will also need emotional support to cope with this drastic change in lifestyle. Be understanding of the challenges that vision loss presents and offer to help in any way you can.
 
West Hartford Health & Rehabilitation Center is a skilled nursing facility that specializes in a variety of senior care services. To learn more, contact us today!