Changes in vision are common with age. Although most of us find ourselves reaching for the reading glasses more frequently as we grow older, some senior vision problems are not simply a normal result of aging. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, the prevalence of severe eye issues, such as glaucoma, increases dramatically with age.
Since January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, the professional home health care team at Nightingale Homecare wants to help you maintain proper health with these senior eye health tips:
- Prevent Falls: Changes in vision and balance result in an increased risk of falling for seniors, and with as many as one in three seniors experiencing a fall each year, it’s crucial to take steps to make modifications in and around the home to enhance safety. Our Paces Fall Prevention program is a great place to start!
- Share Health Facts: Vision can be affected by other health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. In fact, changes in vision can be one of the first warning signs of either of these conditions. It’s important for seniors to keep their eye doctor updated on all health conditions, including any medications being taken in order for the eye doctor to have a full understanding of what might be causing vision issues.
- Improve Lifestyle Choices: Along with the rest of the body, the eyes benefit from regular exercise, which stimulates blood circulation and oxygen intake levels. And nothing beats a good night’s sleep for providing the opportunity for the eyes to clear out any allergens and irritants.
- See the Light: While of course it’s important to protect the eyes from the sun and other sources of UV light, it’s also important to ensure that we expose our eyes to some natural light each day, especially as we age, to curb insomnia and help maintain a normal sleep-wake pattern.
Nightingale Homecare of Phoenix can help seniors with vision problems in so many ways, including:
- Providing transportation and accompaniment to doctors’ appointments, procedures, and to pick up prescriptions
- Performing a safety evaluation of the home and helping implement recommendations to make it safer and more accessible
- Helping with meal preparation, light housework, and other tasks around the home that may be more difficult to seniors with low vision
- Reading books aloud, or picking up/returning books on tape from the library
- A full range of medical and physician-ordered care
- And much more, based on each individual’s specific needs and wishes
To take the first step in improving life for your senior loved one with the highest quality Phoenix assisted living care, call us at 602-504-1555, or complete our simple online contact form.
