Low vision is one of the most common issues experienced by elderly adults. In fact, approximately 12.2 percent of people throughout the United States between the ages of 65 and 74 are dealing with vision loss, and 15.2 percent of those aged 75 years and older are dealing with vision loss. Elderly adults over the age of 74 are approximately three times as likely as those under the age of 45 to experience vision loss. As a family caregiver it is extremely important for you to pay close attention to your parent’s behavior and symptoms so that you might be able to detect vision loss and low vision as early as possible. Because this reduction in vision can occur very gradually, it can be difficult for your parent to detect when their vision is reducing until it becomes serious, putting them at risk of injury, accidents, and other problems. Detecting it early can allow you to work together to find ways to help your parent continue to live the quality of life that they desire even while dealing with low vision.

Some of the signs that your senior might be struggling with low vision include:
• Squinting when reading or watching television
• Pushing their glasses to the end of their nose or adjusting them frequently when trying to focus on something
• Complaining that there is not enough light in an area when there is
• Frequently complaining about the size of text on menus, books, or other printed materials
• Mismatching clothing such as putting together pairs of socks with one blue and one black sock
• No longer participating in the activities that they once loved, such as reading, doing needlework, or building models
• Suffering an increased frequency of accidents, or showing signs of more frequent injury such as bruises that might indicate running into furniture or stumbling over obstacles.

If your aging parent is struggling with low vision, starting home care for them is a fantastic way to help them maintain a high quality of life and address the risks and challenges that can come with this reduction in vision. An in-home senior care services provider can devise a highly personalized approach to care, support, and assistance specifically tailored toward helping your parent handle their needs and challenges, stay safe, healthy, and comfortable, and still pursue the activities and engagement in the community around them that is right for them. This can not only help to reduce the risk that they will suffer an injury associated with their low vision, but also that they will experience depression, loss of motivation, or diminished quality of life because of it. If your parent’s low vision is as a result of an eye disease or other condition, this home care provider can help them to understand the challenge that they are facing as well as their instructions from their doctor. They can then offer reminders to help them remain compliant so that they get the most out of these treatments and lifestyle choices.

http://www.bausch.com/your-eye-concerns/diseases-and-disorders/low-vision
http://www.afb.org/info/blindness-statistics/adults/special-report-on-aging-and-vision-loss/235

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Brooklyn Park, MN, and the surrounding areas, please contact the friendly staff at CareBuilders at Home Minnesota. Call today 612-260-2273.