When Your Loved One
Has Poor Vision
Most of us, as the years
go by, experience a gradual decline in our ability to see. Getting
reading glasses or changing to bifocals is almost a middle-age rite
of passage. But your aging parent's major vision loss may be due to
illness, not just getting older. If Dad's eyesight is failing, it's
critical that he have the problem checked by a physician. If the
family has a history of diabetes, he should have his eyes examined
more frequently.
Among the common
complaints your parent may have are problems focusing on close
objects (a condition known as presbyopia), floaters, dry eye, or
excessive tears. Other illnesses and conditions that may affect your
parent's vision are cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration,
diabetes, and a variety of retinal disorders.
Even without suffering
from an illness or low vision, your parent may not see as well as he
or she did at a younger age. In older age, it's common for
peripheral vision to diminish, for eyes to take longer to adjust in
the dark, and for colors to fade and depth perception to decline.
(These vision impairments make driving especially hazardous.)
Look for subtle signs.
Maybe Mom has stopped doing her needlepoint or reading for pleasure.
Maybe Dad is tripping over things. Maybe Mom looks more disheveled,
because she can't see the stains on her blouse or the wrinkles in
her dress. Maybe Dad has food in his refrigerator that is past its
"use by" date, or he isn't following the directions printed on his
medication.
These are things you can
do to help your parent cope with diminished eyesight:
--Be prepared to comfort
and reassure your parent. Keep in mind that Mom may feel especially
vulnerable if her eyesight is failing. She may isolate herself, and
she will probably be very frightened at the thought of going blind.
--Make sure Dad's house
or apartment is well lit. Put in higher-wattage light bulbs (still
within the safe and recommended range for the lamp or fixture, of
course). Have multiple light sources shining from different
directions -- a single bright light makes dark shadows.
--Light the top and the
bottom of any staircases.
--Make sure Mom has a
night light. Leave the bathroom light or hall light on. Have a lamp
within reach of the bed so that she can turn on the light before
getting up. The "one touch" style of lamp is great for this.
--Arrange the furniture
in a pattern that makes it easy to get around. Once your parent is
familiar with the furniture's pattern, don't rearrange it. Later you
will have the challenge of removing clutter respectfully and with
permission.
--If Dad is still
driving, encourage him to stop.
--If Mom's place is going
to be repainted, use contrasting colors to help her distinguish
between doors and walls.
--Write down important
information, such as emergency phone numbers and addresses, in
large, thick print and post it.
--Get a telephone with an
oversize keypad.
--Get a good lighted
magnifying glass.
--Look into getting
large-print books and magazines and audiobooks.
--The next time you set
up an appointment for your parent for a vision test, stay close by
Mom or Dad. The dark room and testing can be intimidating,
especially if your parent is also experiencing some hearing loss.
--Be ready to provide the everyday support that can make such a difference. Offer Mom your arm as the two of you come to a curb. Read Dad the menu if the restaurant is dimly lit or the print is too small. Help your parent never lose sight of the fact that the two of you are facing this challenge together.