It’s natural to experience vision loss as we age. Low Vision can occur as a natural degeneration or aging process of the eye or causes can range from eye diseases such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. In addition, Low Vision can be a result of other conditions including Diabetes as well as neurologic conditions such as Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and/or Parkinson’s Disease. It can be particularly difficult for seniors to adapt to their level of vision when paired with other weakened senses, such as hearing, smell, or taste. For most people, vision loss is a very gradual process – this means seniors and their loved ones may not be aware of how compromised their vision has become, which can threaten their overall safety and ability to function properly.
Contact us online or call us at 833-JFNURSE (536-8773) to learn more about how we can help senior loved ones.
Over time, mobility and freedom are impacted when seniors suffering from vision loss can no longer drive or perform activities of daily living as they once could. According to the Centers for Disease Control, a visually impaired senior is at increased risk for falls and subsequent fractures.
This can also take a toll on emotional and mental health as some aren’t able to fully care for themselves independently, which results in a greater risk of depression for many seniors with Low Vision.
If you or your loved one has severe vision loss, it’s likely there will come a time when he or she will benefit from having an assessment from a certified health professional in order to provide appropriate assistance and support. Our clinicians can help by teaching and instructing compensatory strategies in order to assist with you or your loved one’s vision loss and make the most out of his/her remaining vision that exists. We assist by providing you or your loved ones with the equipment, skills and support necessary to remain in his/her home in order to thrive in as safe an environment as possible. This is where Nursing Plus of Broward can assist – vision-impaired seniors can receive benefits, as ordered by their physician, such as:
Once we’ve conducted an in-depth analysis of you or your loved one’s condition and assessed his/her physical and emotional needs, we’ll work closely with his/her physician to develop an individualized plan suited to enhance their safety and quality of life at home.
First, it is important to understand what is the source of their vision loss is.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, approximately one in three people have some form of vision-reducing eye disease by the age of 65. The National Eye Institute says there are four major conditions that account for age-related eye diseases in the elderly:
In addition to those, there are also several neurological issues that can lead to poor eyesight as well. Some of them are as follows:
Even other complications can arise from accidents such as retinal tearing or damage. Regardless of the particular reason(s) one may be struggling with vision problems, having a trained and licensed health professional that knows specifically how to assist them is a consideration that can help improve you or your loved one’s quality of life.
Beyond the simple medical concerns that go along with vision issues, living alone and without assistance presents a number of new and scary challenges. This is especially true for the elderly who may not have family nearby to easily help them with daily tasks on a regular basis. Some of the more serious concerns with this type of situation are:
As seniors age with conditions that affect their eyesight, frustration, anger, and depression may come into play as they aren’t able to perform daily tasks as easily as they previously could. Many times as the condition progresses, it can lead to social withdrawal due to a lack of confidence or even a sense of embarrassment. Other possible issues include:
Our clinicians understand the importance of making sure you or your loved ones who are struggling with these issues have the help and support they need to continue to live a healthy, well-adjusted life both physically and emotionally while living in the comfort of their home.
The Licensed Nurses and care providers at Nursing Plus of Broward are trained to provide personalized solutions for a visually impaired individual’s specific needs. From therapies that help to improve one’s existing visual condition to teaching strategies that will allow you or your loved one to safely compensate for the loss, we will make sure he or she can function/navigate safely and easily at home.
Once our team has learned as much as possible about you or your loved one’s visual condition and the limitations they experience, we can suggest appropriate modifications to their environment and behavior as well as products that can enhance their functional abilities. Our therapists are also trained to identify problem areas and design treatments to improve function and remove impediments. For example, our Occupational and Physical Therapists will help by
Our team can assist with Home Health Aide Services and activities of daily life (ADLs), too. Our in-home care providers can help with activities of daily living such as:
And numerous other things depending on the specific needs of your loved one.
For more information about how we can help your vision impaired loved one live safely and comfortably at home with maximum function, contact Nursing Plus of Broward today at 833-JFNURSE!
