At first, it’s just reading glasses. Then, maybe some prescription lenses. But eventually, due to the aging process, even something like making a quick breakfast in the morning can become complicated. By the age of 65, one out of every three people experiences vision loss. When vision loss starts to occur, modifications to the home are necessary for practical reasons as well as safety reasons. Falls are extremely dangerous, especially for older adults.
Independent living is complicated by vision loss, but with some help, you can make the home safety improvements needed to accommodate vision loss.
Brighten Your Living Space
Deteriorating eyesight makes it difficult to differentiate between colors and surfaces. Contrasting colors makes it easier to see separate items around the house. For example, consider if your silverware and dishes are too close in color to your placemats and table. Look at towels and make sure they stand out from the wall.
Contrasting color can also be utilized to provide safety cues, such as markings on stairs to indicate a change in surface level or warnings for potential hazards.
Glare is another consideration as you modify your home to accommodate low vision. Covering windows with adjustable shades will allow you to eliminate glare during the day without eliminating the view. Tabletops and floors can also create glare, and you may want to opt for low-glare lightbulbs.
Everything in the Right Place
A sensible organization system will help you find things around the house and complete day-to-day chores. Commonly used items like glasses, keys or remotes should be stored in the same place. Try to minimize clutter, both as a safety concern and to eliminate potential confusion. It can also be helpful to mark the edges of doors and cabinets, so that it’s easier to notice whether they’re open or closed.
Low-Vision Care and Assistance
Sometimes living on your own is no longer a safe option. Assisted Living is a great way to get the assistance you need without sacrificing your independence. At Melrose Meadows, our hallways are wide and easy to navigate, as well as bright, sunny and well-lit. Staff is on site 24/7, so there’s always someone there when you need them. Whether it’s simply reading a piece of mail or helping manage medications that are tough to distinguish from one another, we’ve got you covered – day and night.
Are you or a loved one exploring senior and assisted living communities? Melrose Meadows is a certified assisted and independent living community in Iowa City, Iowa. We provide an independent, secure lifestyle for our residents in a vibrant, all-inclusive setting. Schedule a tour today to see if Melrose Meadows is a good fit for your future.