Safety for Elderly with Visual Limitations

Brought to you by

Florida International UniversityCollege of Nursing and Health Science

Group members: Kereen Krystal Marcynth Patricia Vanessa

Statistics

Nearly 95% of adults older than 65 years wear glasses for close vision.

Blindness and visual impairment are among the 10 most common causes of disability in the United States and are associated with shorter life expectancy and lower quality of life.

African Americans are twice as likely to be visually impaired than are White individuals of comparable socioeconomic status.

Statistics

Hispanics also have a higher risk of visual complications than the White population.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the 3.3 million Americans with impaired vision, 2.9 million are 65 years and older.

Common changes elderly experience due to visual impairment

Many senior citizens experience difficulty with their sight. These difficulties range from decreased near vision as a result of aging known as presbyopia, which can be corrected by glasses. The leading causes of visual impairment are diseases that are common in older adults: age related macular degeneration (AMD), cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and optic nerve atrophy. Proper screening and treatment can help the elderly with these changes.

Common changes elderly experience due to visual impairment

Other types of visual problems may also develop such as becoming more sensitive to glare and adapting more slowly to darkness, you may have more difficulty adjusting your focus from distant objects to near ones and vice-versa.

You may need more light, your reaction time may be slower, your peripheral vision may diminish and your ability to quickly and accurately distinguish colors may diminish.

Common changes elderly experience due to visual impairment

These visual limitations have a significant impact on quality of life: daily living activities such as bathing, reading, moving about safely in the home safely, eating, dressing, cooking, grooming and taking medication.

It affects driving as well as social life because many elderly with visual impairment are fearful of going out especially at night.

Common changes elderly experience due to visual impairment

Decreased vision has also been found to be significant risk factors for falls. Visual limitations affect the older adult’s independence due to the inability to safely perform every day activities. Some will require partial caregiver assistance or complete assistance depending on the degree of limitations.

Insertion of Video Interview

Preventative Measures

People over age 65 should have yearly eye exams

Have your eyes checked regularly by an eye care professional

See your doctor regularly to check for diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure (can cause eye problems if not treated)

Use assistive devices (e.g. eyeglasses)

Visit an Eye Care Professional if…

You have:› Decreased vision› Eye pain› Drainage or redness of the eye› Double vision› Diabetes

Or see:› Flashes of light› Floaters ( tiny specks that appear to float before your eyes)› Circles, or halos, around light sources

Ways To Make Living Easier

Wear sunglasses outside to reduce the glare of direct sunlight

Use a light over shoulder for reading

Pocket magnifier will help read most printed material

Ways to Make Living Easier

Telescopic lens eyeglasses are smaller, easier to focus, and have a great range

There are books and other publications available in larger print

Important documents can be enlarged with standard copying machines

Remove clutter to ensure clear pathways for walking

Ways To Make Living Easier (cont.)

Minimize glare by selecting satin and nongloss

finishes for walls and countertops in the home

and choosing sheer curtains, tinted windows, or

adjustable shades to reduce outdoor light

Decorate a room and paint hallways or stairwells,

in brighter colors, such as red, orange, or yellow,

so you are able to make differentiations in

surfaces and objects in a room

Ways To Make Living Easier (cont.)

Keep all flooring in good repair

Make sure any stairwell has a securely fastened

banister or handrail extending the full length of

the stairs

Light switch should be located at the top and

bottom of stairwells

Front and back entrances to the home, work

areas, and stairwells need to properly lighted

Driving Safety Tips

Drive in familiar areas

Do not drive during rush hour

Avoid interstate highways for local drives

Drive defensively

Use rear-view and side-view mirrors when changing lanes

Driving Safety Tips

Avoid driving at night or dusk

Go slow but not too slow

Keep car in good working condition

Carry a portable or preprogrammed cell phone

Resources

Organizations geared towards helping the elderly adapt to changes in their vision :

American Council of the Blind The National Federation of the Blind National Federation of the Blind Seniors

Division National Organization of the Senior Blind

Listserv Diabetes Action Network

Resources

Current Projects by the National Federation of the Blind:

Low Vision Resource Kit for seniors, which includes items such as large print playing cards, a talking key chain clock, and a check writing guide

NFB-NEWSLINE- A service that makes hundreds of newspapers available to those who can no longer read regular newsprint

For further information please see the following

websites: http://www.nfb.org/ http://www.acb.org/