Sacramento, CA – Home Care Can Support Elderly with Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration largely affects people over the age of 65. It is a condition in which the center point field of vision erodes and eventually disappears, leaving the individual with only peripheral vision. When this happens, driving is no longer an option. Being able to look at somebody and see their face will no longer be possible. Walking becomes a greater challenge. Enjoying television programs, reading, and numerous other activities suddenly seem to be things of the past. An experienced home care provider can do several things to help support an elderly client who has been diagnosed with macular degeneration, regardless of the stage.
February is AMD/Low Vision Month, making it a great time to talk about this very serious and potentially debilitating vision problem.
Living With Macular Degeneration
The best thing anyone can do when working with an elderly client who has macular degeneration is to experience what it might be like for them. In order to do this, simply close one eye, make a fist and cover your other eye with that fist. Basically, you are closing out the center portion of your field of vision. Now, you are closer to knowing it’s like to live with macular degeneration. You can still see peripherally, but you can’t see anything in front of you.
How can home care providers support an elderly client with this condition?
They can assist the client with walking around the house and in public. It’s likely that a person with macular degeneration will not see chairs, boxes, and tables, and other objects that may be in the way. In addition, they can also help with completing day-to-day household tasks and personal care.
Finally, if your loved one has not yet been diagnosed with macular degeneration but is showing symptoms of it – blurred or reduced vision, especially in the center point portion, and difficulty discerning light and shadows in front of them – encourage him or her to make an appointment with the doctor. The earlier the diagnosis, the more options there are for treatment.
If you or an aging loved one needs home care services near Sacramento, CA, remember Senior Home Care Services. Call us at (916) 514-7006 for more information.
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