Archive for the ‘Vision Difficulties’ Category

Shedding Some Light on Seniors with Low Vision

Posted on: August 22nd, 2011 by aagingbetter

Making a few adjustments to lighting can make a significant difference to a senior with reduced vision.  For example, cutting the distance between a light source and the task in half by bringing the light closer to the work will make the brightness of the light approximately four times greater.  Here are some other lighting tips to help a senior with low vision:

A.)  To ensure better light in a work area for reading, cooking, using the telephone, or doing crafts, use a “task lamp” with a flexible arm or gooseneck so light can be focused closely and directly on the work area.

B.)  If one eye has better vision, position the lamp on that side of the body, slightly to the side. Take caution in placement however, so that the light is not reflecting from the page into the eyes of the reader.

C.  Make sure all light bulbs are covered with some sort of shade in order to reduce glare.

D.)  To reduce the heat of a higher-wattage bulb, use a lamp with an internal reflector (a double shade).  This reduces the heat significantly, and allows the lamp to be closer to the face than with a single shade, especially one made of metal.

E.)  Install extra lighting in places where it may be difficult to move around, such as hallways and stairs.

F.)  Install dimmer switches for controlling the amount of light in the room.

G.)  Install under-cabinet lighting for tasks in the kitchen or work areas.

In addition to lighting changes, consider home care as an option to help you or your loved ones adapt to low vision problems.  The experienced caregiving team at AAging Better In-Home Care will identify a disabled or senior’s specific challenges with the activities of daily living  and help to provide solutions.  These solutions can mean the difference between living safely in the comfort of home or moving into a much more expensive facility like a nursing home or Assisted Living Facility.

Contact AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in the Hayden, Coeur d’Alene or Post Falls areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Priest River or Bonners Ferry areas,  or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Kingston or Wallace areas to learn more.

Simple Home Changes to Assist Seniors with Reduced Vision

Posted on: August 15th, 2011 by aagingbetter

For a senior with reduced vision, simple home modifications can make activities safer and more convenient.  These home modifications do not have to be expensive or difficult.  Just be sure to stick to the cardinal rules of reducing clutter and paying special attention to the basic concepts of lighting, color and contrast.

1.)  Changes around the house can include:

  • Continuous lighting levels throughout the home are very beneficial.  If possible,  supplementary lighting should be installed in entryways, hallways, and at the top and bottom of each staircase to eliminate shadows or excessively bright areas.
  • Fluorescent ceiling fixtures should be installed for general room lighting, supplemented with incandescent, LED, or halogen lighting in desk lamps, table lamps, and floor fixtures.
  • Mark the leading edge of the first and last steps with bright paint or light-reflecting tape that contrasts with the background color of the flooring.
  • Paint cupboard or cabinet doors in a solid bright color to make them stand out against the walls and counters. Replace cabinet hardware with brightly colored contrasting handles.
  • Replace a white toilet seat with a brightly colored one that contrasts with the walls and fixtures.
  • Use a bedside lamp with a “clap-on” feature, or one that can activate by simply touching the   base.

Consider home care as an option for yourself or to help a senior adapt to low vision while continuing to perform activities of daily living.  The experienced caregiving team at AAging Better In-Home Care will identify a senior’s specific challenges with activities and help to provide solutions. These solutions can mean the difference between living safely in the comfort of home or a move elsewhere.  For more information about how we can help with in-home care services call AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in the Hayden, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Priest River or Bonners Ferry areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Kingston or Wallace areas.

 

 

Don’t Let Vision Loss Control Your Life

Posted on: August 8th, 2011 by aagingbetter

There are many innovative and useful specialty products for people who have low vision. These products can be sophisticated or surprisingly simple, and are designed to make it easier to read, use computers, travel and perform daily activities.  Here are a few examples of innovative products that enhance the independence of the visually impaired:

1.)  Talking Color Identifier with Light Probe

This small device detects about 100 colors and can tell you which color of garment you are considering putting on that day or what color the socks are you’re considering wearing.  It can be extremely helpful when dressing independently or when no one is available to help you or a loved one get dressed appropriately.   The device speaks clearly at three volumes and has an earphone jack.  For those seniors or individuals that have color blindness, this device is invaluable.

2.)  Hi-Mark™ Tactile Pen

This pen produces a three-dimensional plastic liquid that makes raised lines, dots and shapes to identify clothing, canned goods, frozen foods, or to mark the settings on appliances so that you or a loved one can easily identify which setting is “high,” “medium,” or “low.”

3.)  VOXCOM III Voice Labeling System

Seniors or the disabled can record messages by pressing a button and inserting a card into the unit. The card can then be attached to canned goods, medication, clothing, food, and household items in order to identify them.

4.)  i.d. mate OMNI

This device is a talking bar code scanner that also has the ability to record personal voice messages.  It provides assistance when identifying products at home or the store and can act as a reminder to you or your loved ones of where you  may have placed a particular item, a reminder of when to take medications, or may have parked the car when on a shopping trip.

5.)  Eye-Pal SOLO

This is an appliance that reads for you or a loved one and can be plugged into a computer monitor to enlarge the text for reading.  Just place a book under the reading eye and it begins reading aloud. You or the individual can then wave a hand in front of the eye to pause the reading.

This is just a sampling of some of the products available for the visually impaired. For more information on products or techniques that help someone who is sight impaired with daily activities, contact AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in the Hayden, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Priest River or Bonners Ferry areas, or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg, Wallace or Kingston areas.

 

 

How to Know When Mom or Dad are Hiding Vision Difficulties

Posted on: August 1st, 2011 by aagingbetter

Many seniors are hesitant to discuss concerns regarding any vision problems they may be experiencing.  For this reason, it is helpful to know how to recognize changes in behavior and appearance that indicate you or a loved one would benefit from a visit to the doctor or eye care professional.

Watch for these signs that may indicate vision loss:

  • Constantly bumping into things, tripping, moving hesitantly or brushing against the wall while walking
  • Acting visually confused in a familiar place
  • Groping for missing objects by under-reaching or over-reaching
  • Discontinuing or doing certain activities differently such as reading, watching television, driving, walking, or engaging in hobbies
  • Squinting or tilting the head to the side to see or holding reading material close to the face
  • Having difficulty identifying faces, objects or colors
  • Clothing has unnoticed stains or outfit color combinations or patterns do not match
  • Requesting more or different kinds of lighting for reading or other activities
  • Having difficulty cutting or serving food or knocking over glasses

Additionally, if you or your loved one has or complains about the following, it could indicate vision loss:

  • Halos or rings around lights or seeing spots in front of the eyes
  • Eyes hurt
  • Reduced night vision
  • Seeing double or view is distorted

AAging Better In-Home Care provides in-home care services of all types and helps disabled and seniors adjust to vision loss through various adaptive techniques. For more information about vision loss or in-home care needs for the disabled of all ages or seniors, call AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in the Hayden, Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint, Priest River and Bonners Ferry areas or (208) 784-1505 in the Wallace, Kingston or Kellogg areas.

 
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