Tips for Helping Seniors with Vision Loss

Vision loss is a scary thing for most people. If your loved one has diminished vision, there are probably quite a few ways they’ve learned to compensate for that loss. These tips can add to that toolbox for them.

4 Tips for Helping a Loved One with Vision Loss

1. Give Your Loved One a “Plate Map”

Being unable to identify what you’re eating is frustrating, particularly if you can’t identify it because you can’t see it.

Your loved one has to deal with that every time they eat, so start to make it a habit to map out their plate for them.

Treat the plate like the face of the clock. Then you can let your loved one know there are mashed potatoes from 1 o’clock to 3 o’clock on the plate. Carrots are from 4 o’clock to 6 o’clock, and then salmon is located from 6 o’clock to 12.

Now your loved one has an idea where each item is located on the plate and what is actually on the plate.

2. Let People Know If Your Loved One Can’t See the Fine Print

People in your loved one’s doctor’s office, new elder care providers, or even just people your loved one encounters may not be able to tell they have vision loss.

This can lead to sweeping assumptions about what your loved one can see or read, so it’s a good idea to let people know your loved one has vision trouble before they try to have your loved one read or sign something.

3. Help Your Loved One Know Who’s in the Room

Start a habit of greeting your loved one as you enter the room and letting them know when you’re leaving the room.

This helps them to know when they’re on their own and keeps them from feeling startled if you suddenly touch them or talk to them after having left the room.

Mention this habit to other people who help your loved one, too.

4. Get Your Loved One’s Vision Checked Regularly

Even if your loved one’s vision is extremely poor, that doesn’t mean they no longer need eye exams.

Your loved one needs eye exams now more than ever to make sure there’s nothing going on with their eye health they might have noticed if their vision was a bit better.

Schedule regular appointments and make sure you keep them.

Helping your loved one with vision trouble isn’t as difficult as it might seem at first.

Contact Sonas for Home Health Care Services

If you or an aging loved one are considering home health care services in Florida, contact the caring staff at Sonas Home Health Care. Call today (888) 592-5855.

Source
https://www.webmd.com/eye-health/vision-problems-aging-adults

Jillian Miller BSN, RN

Director of Nursing at Sonas Home Health Care

This blog was reviewed by Jillian Miller BSN, RN — Director of Nursing for Sonas Home Health Care’s Tampa Bay market — for clinical accuracy. Jillian Miller has been a nurse for 16 years — working primarily in pediatrics. She believes the best part of working with the pediatric population is when you see smiles from clients when you first enter the room. She loves seeing the difference you can make in families’ lives while providing the best care possible for them.