Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects not only memory but also senses, such as sight. The goal is to help your senior loved one continue living a healthy life for as long as he or she can. Therefore, you’ll need to understand the vision issues your loved one might encounter as well as the solutions for mitigating these effects. Here are some of the ways Alzheimer’s disease affects vision.
Difficulty with Depth Perception
If your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, he or she may lose depth perception, which includes the abilities to judge distances and determine if something is actually a picture or an object. For example, your loved one may try to pick up an apple or banana from a tablecloth with a fruit design or view the border of a carpet as a step. To help with this vision issue, make sure there’s adequate lighting throughout the home. You should also avoid installing patterned objects, carpets, and upholstery.
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s or other health issues may require assistance with daily activities. If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, an elder care agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
Issues with Colour & Contrast
Picking out objects of similar colours could be difficult for your loved one. Colours on the blue end of the spectrum are more difficult for seniors with Alzheimer’s to recognize than colours at the red end of the spectrum. Avoid placing items near other objects that are similar in colour. Use colour contrast to help your loved one navigate around the home, and use white or light-coloured tablecloths in rooms that are darker or have dark-coloured floors. You could also paint the bedrooms and bathrooms darker colours so items such as white bedspreads, toilets, and sinks stand out better.
There are many reasons seniors might need assistance at home. Some may require regular mental stimulation due to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, while others might only need part-time assistance with exercise and basic household tasks. Home Care Assistance is a leading Barrie senior care provider. Families rely on our expertly trained caregivers to help their senior loved ones maintain a high quality of life.
Challenges with Following Motion
Seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty following moving objects. It may feel as if they’re watching something move in a series of still images. This can be a serious issue if your loved one is performing any type of activity in fast motion. The ability to watch television comfortably may also be in jeopardy. To ease the situation, suggest activities that don’t require moving in fast motion, such as reading, writing, painting, and other fun activities. Listening to audiobooks is another great activity your loved one might enjoy.
Reduced Field of Vision
Aging may cause narrow vision. However, if your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, his or her vision may narrow to a greater degree. When this happens, your loved one will have difficulty seeing to either side. A reduced field of vision could cause a senior to bump into walls, furniture, and other objects around the home, which could lead to more severe health conditions. Remove all clutter from the home, and make the pathways wide enough to prevent your loved one from tripping.
If your elderly loved one is living with Alzheimer’s and needs help managing the symptoms, turn to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Barrie seniors can rely on our revolutionary Cognitive Therapeutics Method (CTM), an activities-based program that promotes cognitive health and delays the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. CTM also encourages seniors to engage with others in an enjoyable way and helps them build new routines to look forward to. Reach out to one of our Care Managers today at 647-970-3803 to learn more about our high-quality home care services.