Over 50 million adults over the age of 18 have experienced some form of vision loss. (Source) Some experience it worse and/or more suddenly than others. As a family caregiver, you may be responsible for caring for a loved one experiencing a debilitating form of this condition. Vision loss is hard both physically and emotionally, and can be especially tricky to handle as a caregiver responsible for their wellbeing. In this article, we’ll offer tips for caring for a loved one with vision loss – four things you can do today to make it easier. Let’s dive in.

Signs and Symptoms of Vision Loss

Some causes of vision loss are harder to detect than others. Understanding where your loved one’s particular case comes from can make it easier to care for them. There are age-related conditions like macular degeneration, and other common causes like cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

If you suspect a loved one is experiencing worsening vision, here are some signs and symptoms to look for:

• Additional squinting or difficulty with adjusting to varied light

• Unexplained bruising or scratches

• New dents and scratches on their vehicle

• Complaints of blurred vision

• Difficulty reading

• Peripheral vision reduction

For many causes, early detection can help your loved one find treatments to prevent or slow further damage as much as possible.

4 Ways to Help Your Loved One Through Vision Loss

As you navigate this reality of caring for someone with vision loss, you may wonder what you can do to help. Beyond offering a safe place for communicating and discussing the trajectory of the condition with their healthcare team, there are several things you can do to make the life of your loved one easier and/or more comfortable through this experience. Let’s talk about them.

Modify the Home

Some simple home modifications can make life as a visually impaired adult easier. Consider things for safety and accessibility, like:

• Color-coded labels

• Textured items to help with identification (fuzzy stickers vs. leathered stickers, for example)

• Improved or additional lighting in any dark corners or poorly lit rooms (don’t forget to light stairs, cabinets, and closets too)

• Bins and organization to keep the space more clutter-free

• Removed tripping hazards (like wiring and rugs)

Create an Emergency Plan

Emergency preparedness is easier said than done, but in a visually impaired household, precautions should be made for their safety. To prepare, consider:

• Creating a safe space. To make it easy to grab what’s needed in an emergency, the best practice is to have a designated area for keepsakes, important documents, contact information, prescription information, and any needed equipment.  That way your loved one can evacuate in the event of an earthquake, fire, or power outage quickly and safely.

• Putting a neighborhood helper plan together. Your loved one may not be able to drive, evacuate, or contact emergency services to get help when needed. Is there someone nearby who can (and knows to) stop by and check in during an emergency?

Find Support Services

There are countless nonprofit organizations that help families in situations like yours. To start, you can create a free CareNav account to get access to free customized resources. There are also support groups, Facebook groups, community outreach programs, and more – all available to help you and your loved one navigate this new and challenging reality.

Keep Your Loved One Active and Pursuing Hobbies

The mental impact of vision loss is arguably equal to or greater than the physical impact they’ll feel. To keep their self-esteem and confidence up, it’s important to help them continue with existing passions and hobbies, or pursue new ones. 

Hobbies and activities can be a tether to goals, learning, and making the most of this new reality.

Closing Thoughts: Caring for a Loved One with Vision Loss

Vision loss is terrifying and overwhelming, both for you and the person in your care. Taking some simple precautions, like taking emergency preparations, organizing and modifying the home, or helping them pursue hobbies make it a bit easier.

We here at the Caregiver Resource Center of Orange County are here to provide assistance and guidance to help you in any way we can. Check out our library of resources to help you navigate this experience. Together, we can navigate the healthcare landscape and help you provide the best possible care for your loved one(s).

Further Reading: Caregiver Guilt – Balancing Family Expectations About Providing Care vs. Asking for Help

As our loved ones age or a disease progresses, caring for them can mean taking on increasing levels of stress and responsibility. The demands can easily grow beyond what you can reasonably handle, yet you may feel expected to continue.

When is it ok to say no? In this article, we’ll touch on these family dynamics and expectations as they relate to providing care and help you understand when it’s the right time to ask for help. 

Click here to learn more about balancing the expectations you, your family, your culture, or society at large have for your role as family caregiver.