Normally, eyesight changes as a person ages. Common changes in eyesight can include difficulty seeing in the dark, struggling to read items that are too close or too small, and distinguishing between similar colors (such as dark blue and black). These common sight issues can often be treated with updated prescriptions or better lighting, and home care services can help seniors with better health and care.
Five Steps to Good Eye Health
Regular eye exams should be part of your loved one’s health care routine. Eye exams can often spot problems that your loved one hasn’t noticed yet and take care of easy issues like a needed prescription change or getting some prescription sunglasses to help in the bright sun.
Some appointments may require transportation to and from the appointment, so prepare ahead of time by making sure your loved one has adequate transportation from a family member or a home care provider.
Steps for Healthy Eyes
- Protect your eyes when outside. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses can protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays and the damage they can cause.
- Eat well to promote good eye health. Some foods that give the eyes important nutrients include carrots, red peppers, sunflower seeds, salmon, eggs, and sweet potatoes. Ask your home care provider to help your loved one meal plan with these nutrients in mind.
- Manage other health conditions that might harm your eyes. Diabetes and high blood pressure can lead to eye health issues. Keeping these conditions managed will lessen the risk of your loved one developing any vision problems.
- Stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight. Obesity can easily block the blood vessels in the eyes, causing damage.
- If your loved one spends a lot of time on her smartphone or laptop, she should plan on taking a break from the screen at least once every 20 minutes to prevent eye strain.
Five Common Eye Conditions
- Cataracts: These cloudy areas on the eye’s lens can cause your loved one to have blurry or hazy vision. While smaller ones can go untreated, larger ones may need surgery to correct your loved one’s eyesight.
- Glaucoma: When there is too much fluid pressure in the eye, it can lead to blindness. Often only detected by annual dilated eye exams, it’s another reason for regular checkups.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration: This condition can lead to a loss of vision in the central area of eyesight, making reading and driving difficult.
- Diabetic Retinopathy: If your loved one has diabetes, it’s all the more reason to keep her eye health at the top of her must-do list. It can develop slowly without symptoms if blood sugar levels are not maintained.
- Dry Eye: A common condition for the elderly, dry eye creates pain and itchiness due to a lack of tears being produced.
Like many other parts of the body, taking care of the eyes is an important part of your loved one’s responsibility to age well. Yet, some elderly individuals may need a little assistance in making the right choices and staying on track with healthy choices.
A home care provider who works with your loved one to keep her on the journey toward good eye health and overall health is an excellent way for your loved one to remain independent for years to come.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Greendale, WI, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services today. Call (414) 206-2090
At Talem Home Care of Milwaukee, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Brookfield, Cudahy, Delafield, Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Muskego, New Berlin, Oak Creek, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Shorewood, South Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Allis and surrounding areas in Wisconsin.
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