Vision Loss & Calgary Home Care

Home Care Blog  |  October 13, 2016

Home Care for Seniors with Vision Loss

Vision Loss and Home Care | As we age, many things change, and not all of them change for the better. Age-related eye diseases are some of these less than positive changes. Among the most common of these ailments are macular degeneration, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, presbyopia, and dry eye.

While dry eye and presbyopia are not diseases, per se, they do cause numerous problems in seniors, and dry eye syndrome is linked to many age-related diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, and lupus. Dry eye can also impact a person’s ability to see clearly. Presbyopia is the age-related loss of clarity and focus due to the hardening of the eye’s lens.

Cataracts are considered an age-related disease, but according to All About Vision, they are so common in seniors they might as well be considered normal age-related vision changes. Mayo Clinic estimates that between 50 and 75 percent of seniors over the age of 65 have at least some degree of cataracts.

Glaucoma is caused by pressure in the inside of the eye that damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma causes permanent vision loss, and, if not treated, it will quickly lead to total blindness. The risk of glaucoma goes up one percent each year after 40. It is estimated that nearly 4 million seniors will have glaucoma by 2020.

Diabetic retinopathy impacts seniors with diabetes. A large percent of seniors with diabetes have some level of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the small blood vessels in the retina causing blindness.

Calgary Home Care

Regardless of the reason behind the vision loss, seniors with impaired vision may need help with daily living tasks if they are aging in place. Calgary home care providers can help meet your loved one’s needs as they adjust to life with impaired vision. Even with glasses, magnifiers, and assistive devices, there are tasks that become quite difficult with a loss of vision. For one, reading those tiny labels on prescription bottles can be worrisome. Most seniors over the age of 65 take eight to 15 medications each day, which is why Calgary home care medication management support is so important.

Comfort Keepers^® Calgary Can Help with Vision Loss and Home Care

If you are concerned about the safety of your aging loved ones, especially in regard to fire, we can help. While it’s important to rely on the expertise of licensed professionals for certain precautions, we can provide home safety assessments and ensure your loved ones’ environment is safe.

Contact the Comfort Keepers Calgary office to learn more about how we can help maintain safety, comfort, and happiness in the home

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