Care For Your Elder
February is Vision Awareness month, so here are a few ideas that may help your elder if they are having some vision problems associated with normal vision loss.
1. Get your elder a large numbered clock. Their eyes are not working as well as yours and they may not be able to see a regular sized clock. They make digital large number clocks as well as large numbed regular wall clocks. Some clocks with Roman numerals have the 4 written IIII. or IV. I don’t like the clocks with the IIII, but it is a valid way to express a 4, your elder may have a preference too.
2. Be sure to provide ample lighting for your elder. You may only need 60 watt bulb in your rooms, but an elder needs a brighter lighting. Try using 100 watt bulbs especially in lights where they may be sitting down to read.
3. If your elder plays cards get them large numbered cards. They are much easier to use if they are not seeing items clearly.
4. Large button telephones are great for those elderly who like to talk on the phone. No need to reach for the glasses.
5. Large print books are a must of those people who love to read, but still have a hard time reading with their glasses. Also, some magazines such as Reader’s Digest have large print issues.
6. For the elderly who really have a hard time seeing items and are nearing blindness there are many “talking” items that can help them. Some that I have found are talking alarm clocks, talking thermometers, talking bathroom scale, talking color detector (tells you what color an item is), and a countdown/count up timer. Wow, I never knew there were so many talking items available.
7. Audio books are great for those elderly who love to read and are really having a very hard time reading with glasses and/or the large print books.
I hope these hints come in handy to you and your elder. Feel free to submit a comment if you have more ideas and I will put them on my blog.
Tags: aids low vision, Care for elderly, elderly care, elderly home care, low vision aids, vision aid, vision aids
