Encouraging a Senior with Low Vision to Keep Up with Their Favorite Activities
Home Care in Kentwood MI: Encouraging a Senior with Low Vision to Keep Up with Their Favorite Activities
If you are like many family caregivers, the first thing that you are likely to think about when you consider low vision is safety issues. You think about them not being able to move around their home as safely and being at risk of falls or impact exercises, or about them accidentally experiencing a poison exposure because of not being able to read labels on chemicals or medications. It is important, however, that you think about the potential risks to their mental and emotional health and well-being as well. Many seniors who suffer from low vision find themselves unable to do the activities that they love, which can lead to depression, anxiety, loss of motivation, and other issues. Encouraging them to keep up with these activities can help them to enjoy a more active, engaged, and fulfilling life.
Use these tips to help your parent to keep up with their favorite activities even as they are dealing with low vision:
- Install more lighting. Identify the place in your parent’s home where they participate in this activity the most and add extra lighting. Look into lights that replicate daylight as these tend to be more intense and beneficial.
- Invest in a magnifier. Magnifying screens act like large, often lighted, magnifying glasses. Your parent can put their activity under the screen to see it better. This can help with anything from reading to needlecrafts and making or painting models.
- Look for larger versions. Look into purchasing materials that are larger or easier for your parent to see. For example, if your parent enjoys reading, look for large print editions. If they enjoy needlecrafts, purchase plastic sheeting or cloth with larger holes.
- Plan for contrast. If doing activities such as painting, sewing, or other activities that involve color, arrange for there to be plenty of contrast. Using colors that are too similar can make it extremely difficult to be able to detect the different pieces and work with them effectively.
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. When it comes to helping them maintain their quality of life, one of the most important things that this care provider can do is help your parent keep up with their favorite activities. This will help to maintain their mental, emotional, and cognitive health and well-being, and encourage them to find meaning and value in their later years.
If you or someone you know needs help with home care in Kentwood, MI, contact Gauthier Family Home Care. We provide quality and affordable home care services in our community. Call us at (616) 258-2300 for more information.
Source: http://www.bausch.com/your-eye-concerns/diseases-and-disorders/low-vision
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