Changes in vision are a normal part of getting older, but they don't have to make life worse for seniors. This is particularly true when seniors get the support they need through in-home care. Professional caregivers are able to make sure seniors get to their vision appointments on time, help them understand what cataracts are, and even offer support for incorporating the doctor’s recommendations.
What Seniors Should Know About Cataracts
Cataracts are a common vision problem that affects many seniors. They happen when the lens of the eye, which is behind the iris and pupil, gets cloudy over time. This cloudiness slowly worsens vision, making it difficult to read, recognize faces, or see clearly in bright light.
Older people with cataracts may notice signs like:
- Vision that gets worse over time and is blurry or hazy
- More sensitive to glare, especially from headlights or the sun
- Colors that have faded or turned yellow
- Hard to see at night
- Getting new prescriptions for glasses or contact lenses more often
Cataracts grow slowly and there is typically no pain, which is why many older people may not notice the change in their vision right away. Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures done today. Still, early detection is best and has a significant impact on how well the procedure works.
Prioritizing Eye Appointments
Getting to the eye doctor—or any doctor for that matter—can be challenging for many seniors. Many have stopped driving, and even if they do, it can be unsafe when their vision is impaired. This is one of the many benefits that come from having in-home care. Caregivers offer transportation to and from important appointments so seniors don’t need to worry about how they will get there.
Caregivers do more than just drive seniors to their appointments. They also help them get ready by putting together their insurance cards, listing their current medications, and writing down any vision problems they want to talk about with the doctor. Additionally, they’re able to help with paperwork and go into the exam room with seniors to ensure they understand the doctor’s instructions.
Putting the Doctor’s Recommendations into Action
Beyond understanding the doctor’s instructions, seniors may need help implementing them into their daily routine. This is easier with home care support. For instance, if the doctor suggests getting new glasses or low-vision aids, a caregiver can help make sure this happens and that they are used correctly and consistently. If the senior has cataract surgery and is given eye drops, a caregiver can help them follow the right schedule and watch for any signs of infection or other problems.
Trained caregivers are also able to assess the home to ensure it is vision-friendly, such as recommending more lighting in rooms the senior spends a lot of time in, helping declutter areas that might cause the senior to trip, or putting labels on household items in large fonts that are easy to read.
For seniors who choose to age in place, there is often a consistent worry about things that will deter their independence, such as failing vision. However, with the support of in-home care, seniors can better manage conditions such as cataracts and others so they can continue to live safely in their homes.
If you or an aging loved one are considering in-home care in West Bountiful, UT please contact the caring staff at Home Instead today! (385) 399-7240
Home Instead provides exceptional home care in Centerville, Bountiful, Woods Cross, North Salt Lake, West Bountiful and surrounding areas.
Sources:
https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions
https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/cataracts/basic-facts
https://www.stevekmd.com/blog/why-are-cataracts-common-in-seniors
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8589-cataracts-age-related
