Helping Relatives with Blindness or Low Vision Maintain Independence
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“I know Dad is having trouble with his eyes. Every time I visit, he breaks a plate or a vase and blames it on other people ‘moving things around.’ But when I suggest that he get his eyes examined, he won’t discuss it. How can I get him to see?
Declining vision inevitably has a strong emotional impact on those directly affected and those close to that person.
Fear of change—and the possibility of appearing feeble or dependent—can lead some people with vision changes to withdraw socially and emotionally. In extreme cases, long-standing relationships may be severed altogether.
There’s no reason for a close friend or relative to head down this path. You can become a source of emotional and practical support and play a key role in helping your loved one resume regular everyday life.
What Can I Do? Some Helpful Tips
“I want Mom to be able to do things for herself, but I always have to fight the urge to intervene when a task seems too difficult or dangerous. I’m never sure what to do.”
It’s hard to know when to step in and when to stand back. There’s no set formula to tell you how much help is too much for a relative with blindness or low vision. It may be some time before your mother truly knows what she can do. Patience and sensitivity to her desire for independence are essential. Here are some suggestions:
- Take the initiative. Ask directly how you can best be of assistance.
- Ask before acting. If you see your relative having trouble with a task, don’t step in before asking if it’s OK to help.
- Be available. Let your loved one know you are there when he or she needs you and what kinds of help you can provide.
- Talk about it. Learn how to discuss and work out solutions to problems together.
Need to Talk to Someone?
If you are looking for resources and services, one of our experienced representatives can provide free information on virtually any topic related to blindness and low vision. Call toll-free (800) 232-5463 Mon-Fri 8 AM – 8 PM Eastern or e-mail us at [email protected].
Another way you can assist your friend or family member experiencing vision changes is to learn as much as you can about their eye condition and the resources available to help.
Things To Know About Eye Examinations
- Ensure your friend or relative is examined by an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor specializing in eye diseases.
- Also, consult a low-vision specialist, an ophthalmologist, or an optometrist specializing in low vision. A low vision specialist can help your loved one make the best use of remaining vision by prescribing hand-held magnifiers, task lighting, or electronic desktop magnifiers.
Things To Know About Vision Rehabilitation Services
- Both public and private agencies provide vision rehabilitation services for people experiencing vision changes.
- Rehabilitation services can include training in everyday living skills, orientation and mobility, and computers and assistive technology.
- Before talking to your friend or relative about these services, you can gather information by contacting your state or local private agency serving people who are blind or low vision.
- See What Kinds of Services Will You Need to Maintain Independence After Vision Loss? for a “road map” that can help you navigate the vision rehabilitation process.
Things To Know About Supporting Your Friend or Relative During Rehabilitation
- Talk to your loved one about vision rehabilitation, share the information you’ve found, and encourage participation, but always leave the final decision up to him or her.
- Get involved in your loved one’s independent living skills training. Learn as many of the adaptive techniques as you can. You can encourage others best by showing a willingness to take the journey with them.
- Learn ways to make the home environment safer for someone experiencing vision changes. These can include rearranging furniture for greater ease of movement, improving lighting, and using contrasting colors for greater visibility—such as placing a dark chair against a light-colored wall or a light sofa against a dark-paneled wall.
- Remember, rehabilitation is a family affair. Encourage discussion about vision changes and its impact among all family members—including young children. This isn’t the time for anyone to feel left out.
- Support your friend or relative’s desire to continue daily activities and cultivate new interests.
- An older relative who is blind or low vision can still babysit, help grandchildren with homework, or prepare meals. Look for opportunities for your relative to assist, not just receive it.
- Ask your state or local agency about support groups for people newly experiencing vision changes and their families. If there isn’t one in your area, think about starting one.
Resource List
Caring for a loved one who requires assistance and has vision loss requires support, knowledge, and access to reliable resources. This comprehensive resource list is specifically designed to assist caregivers by providing practical solutions, emotional guidance, and access to specialized services. Whether you are looking for expert tips on daily living, tools to navigate challenges or ways to improve the quality of life for individuals with vision loss, this guide offers valuable insights. Empower yourself as a caregiver with the information and strategies needed to make a meaningful difference in your loved one’s life.
Audrey Demmitt, R.N., VisionAware Peer Support Group Advisor, shares the following resources:
Support for Families and Caregivers
- Caring.com offers information, advice, tools, and support for caregivers.
- Care.com has an online marketplace where you can hire a caregiver or be a caregiver for children, adults, seniors, homes, and pets. Find daycare, respite care, light housekeepers, help with errands, and other services in your area.
- Covia Well Connected is a “senior center without walls” for older adults who are homebound or isolated. It provides free programs for entertainment, learning, community, and support groups over the phone or computer.
Legal Resources
- Patient Advocate Foundation provides mediation and arbitration services to remove obstacles to healthcare, including medical debt crisis and insurance access issues.
Aging Services and Resources
- Eldercare Locator has a database for locating local resources for older adults and their families by searching for your zip code and specific topics.
Transportation Options
- Rides in Sight has a database of transportation options for seniors and people with disabilities.
- GoGoGrandparent provides fast, affordable senior transportation with 24/7 service and tools for family members.
Healthcare and Prescription Assistance
- RX Assist offers a comprehensive database of patient prescription assistance programs to help manage medication costs.
- Medicare Rights Center (800) 333-4114 offers a consumer-friendly website and call center to help you better understand what Medicare covers and doesn’t and answer your specific questions.
- Scriptability helps manage medications by providing talking or large-print prescription labels for people with vision loss.
Nutrition and Meal Assistance
- Feeding America is a U.S. hunger relief organization that helps provide low-income individuals and families with the fuel to survive, addressing food insecurity, scarcity, and hunger.
- Food and Nutrition Service offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/food stamps) and other food assistance programs.
- Meals on Wheels contains information about local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states and the U.S. Territories.
Respite Care and Support
Don’t hesitate to explore these services and take advantage of the support that can make a meaningful difference in your caregiving experience.
Helpful Books from APH Press
Making Life More Livable: Simple Adaptations for Living at Home After Vision Loss, Third Edition
Learn More:
Free Resources for Healthcare, Aging, and Social Work Professionals – ConnectCenter