Vision problems are common for many elderly people, whether needing a stronger eyeglass prescription or a common vision condition like cataracts or glaucoma. When you combine normal vision problems with a loved one who also has Alzheimer’s disease, it can be hard to know if her vision struggles are due to physical sight loss or cognitive loss. Getting specialized Alzheimer’s home care support for your loved one can help with vision issues and overall support.
Symptoms that Your Loved One is Struggling with Vision Loss or Vision Confusion
Another stumbling block for many caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease is the person’s inability to communicate. They may not be verbal anymore, or they may not remember how to discuss a concern. A caregiver often needs to rely on their observations to notice if their loved one is struggling with their sight.
Common symptoms that your loved one is visually struggling include:
- Not avoiding obstacles in their way.
- An inability to read if they were able to read before.
- Struggling to find the food on their plate or their cup on the table.
- Seeming to be bothered by bright light or low light.
- Not recognizing people until they get very close to them.
Five Tips to Help Your Loved One See Better
If your loved one’s eye specialist cannot see that anything is specifically wrong or if it is not treatable in her current state, you and Alzheimer’s home care providers can take steps to help your loved one manage her day despite struggling visually.
- Make sure to continue good eye care by attending all doctor appointments, protecting her eyes from the sun, and offering foods that promote eye health by being packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which help eyes stay healthy.
- Improving lighting around the home. You might need to turn on all of the lights in a room, even during the day if your loved one struggles in low light. For night wandering, make sure all areas have night lights so that your loved one can see where she’s going.
- Make adjustments to technology or products she uses to make them easier for her to see. Fonts and images can be increased on laptops and phones. A TV can be moved closer, or a larger one can be bought. If she’s still reading, purchase books with large print.
- Use other forms of communication. Instead of just holding up two shirts in front of her and asking which one she’d like to wear, describe them to her. Have guests speak as they enter her line of sight to help her recognize them sooner.
- Focus on what she can do. If she can’t chop vegetables anymore but can still wash them, have her take over that step so that she still feels productive and included.
Providing Alzheimer’s Home Care
If your loved one’s sight is preventing her from performing certain activities safely, you should consider always having someone there to assist while they are performing the activity or hiring someone to complete the activity for them.
A professional provider who is trained in Alzheimer’s home care can step in and assist your loved one with tasks that require good vision, like meal preparation or grooming. Since driving should not be an option for your loved one, an Alzheimer’s home care provider can also help with transportation, keeping your loved one safe when she needs to travel to an appointment or event.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Kearney, NE, please contact the caring staff at AmanaCare today. Call (402) 440-5878, for Central Nebraska Call 308-663-3828
AmanaCare Provides Senior Home Care Services in Lincoln, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte, Hastings, Omaha, Columbus, Broken Bow, Scottsbluff, Norfolk, and surrounding areas.
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