As we age, our vision can be greatly affected. In middle age, you may start needing glasses to read a menu in a dimly lit restaurant, or you may need them to see better at night when driving. But vision loss can also be prevalent as you advance in age due to a number of circumstances, glaucoma and cataracts being among them. Regular eye exams are the best way to stay on top of vision issues and be able to address any serious issues before they get worse. For more information on how to best help seniors with vision impairment and other senior living health and wellness services, contact the team at Westminster Place at 903.329.6520.
Common Causes of Vision Loss
A condition known as macular degeneration is one of the greatest causes of vision loss in seniors. It affects your center field of vision. Glaucoma, cataracts, and vision issues related to diabetes are also large contributors to senior vision loss. Even certain medications come with the side effect of vision impairment. In fact, by the age of 65, approximately one-third of seniors experience some kind of vision loss.
- Cause: age-related macular degeneration. Effect: the loss of central vision.
- Cause: glaucoma. Effect: optic nerve damage and visual field loss.
- Cause: cataract. Effect: vision impairment among the elderly.
- Cause: diabetic retinopathy. Effect: potential blindness.
The vision changes that seniors experience can look different.
- Presbyopia – the inability to see small-print text and close objects sharply.
- Floaters – these look like small dots or specks directly in your field of vision.
- Dry eyes – this is when the tear glands don’t work well and are not producing enough moisture.
- Tearing – sensitivity to light and change in temperatures can cause watery, irritated eyes.
Senior Health and Wellness
Residents in a senior living community like Westminster Place benefit from having access to on-site medical professionals and an array of additional health and wellness services at their disposal. These services allow seniors to ensure their health and wellness are a priority every day, not just when they are seriously ill.
When it comes to a senior’s vision loss, every accommodation is made to make sure they are comfortable in their environment and are able to easily navigate seeing, reading, and participating fully in their senior living lifestyle without impediment.
This can include accommodations like:
- Brighter lighting around their living quarters and in common areas.
- Making sure residents are attending regular eye doctor appointments to check for vision loss.
- Providing medical attention by staff if your vision issues arise unexpectedly and suddenly.
- Making sure reading glasses, magnifying glasses, light-filtering lenses, or an electronic device with a larger font is available for reading.
- Discouraging driving on their own and encouraging the use of transportation services available.
Call On Westminster Place For Senior Living in Texas
At Westminster Place, we want our residents – and their families – to feel comfortable that all of their health and wellness needs are met. While this includes addressing any vision impairment they may be dealing with, it includes so much more to ensure a healthy and full life. We offer a range of services and amenities as part of independent living, assisted living, memory care, long-term care, and respite care. These include:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medication management
- Dining services
- Transportation services
Give our team a call today at 903.329.6520 or contact us online to schedule a visit and learn more about what senior living in Longview, Texas has to offer. Come spend the day with us and experience firsthand the resident lifestyle we are known for. An array of activities and amenities await you in a community of peers ready to welcome you home.