Common Age-Related Sight Issues

Live-in care helps seniors manage vision loss safely at home

Vision changes are not uncommon as a person ages. Most changes can be easily managed by either getting sight-correcting glasses for the first time or having an eyeglass prescription reviewed and updated as needed. Your loved one might find they now need bifocals to see both near and far, or they might struggle more with seeing in poorly lit areas, but for the most part, their diminishing sight is a minor inconvenience, not a life-altering event.

But sometimes vision changes are much more serious and require immediate intervention, possibly including live-in care, to prevent damage to your loved one’s ability to see the world clearly.

Four Common Age-Related Eye Conditions

Cataracts

A cataract occurs when part of the clear lens in the eye becomes cloudy. While they develop slowly and often don’t affect vision much early on, once they progress, they can make a person feel as if they are continually looking at the world through a haze or a dirty window. Cataracts can make it difficult for a person to read, drive, and even watch TV.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries signals from the eye to the brain. This damage can lead to partial or complete vision loss if not caught soon enough. The damage occurs due to high pressure in the eye and is often only detected during a regular eye exam or once the damage has become irreversible.

Diabetes-Related Retinopathy

Diabetes-related retinopathy is a health complication that can occur in those who have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It occurs when the blood vessels of the eye are weakened by diabetes and excess sugar in the bloodstream. Those weakened blood vessels can damage the retina, leading to serious vision loss. It often doesn’t affect vision until the damage is severe and spread throughout the retina.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects the central part of a person’s vision. They can see objects clearly outside their line of vision, but what is directly in front of them is often blurry. Straight lines may look crooked, and even colors may not look as bright as they should. It can make performing just about any function in low light nearly impossible, including preparing a meal, reading a book, or driving a car.

In the United States, it is the leading cause of vision loss among people aged 60 and older.

When Vision Loss is Significant

If your loved one develops an eye condition that greatly diminishes their ability to see well and to function properly in their home environment, or interferes with their ability to perform daily living activities, they might need assistance staying independent in their home. Live-in care that assists with daily living activities is a great option for those wishing to continue to age in place despite vision loss.

Live-in care providers can help with meals, night-time rituals, transportation, and so much more. Your loved one will still be able to sleep in their bed and enjoy all the comforts of home when employing live-in care to ensure they remain safe at home and able to take care of themselves and their home.

If you or an aging loved one is considering Live-In Care in Cleveland, NC, contact the caring professionals at TenderHearted Home Care today. Call us at (704) 612-4132

Sources:

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15246-macular-degeneration