Signs of Vision Loss in Seniors

Discussing health concerns is hard for many seniors. They might think their health issues are their own concern and not anyone else’s, or they may be fearful that if they admit to having problems, they’ll compromise their ability to continue to live independently. This is oftentimes the situation with regards to vision loss.

An older adult who is having problems seeing may do his or her best to conceal the issue from friends and family. As a result, it’s helpful to know how to identify variations in behavior and appearance that could signify an older person ought to visit his or her health care provider or eye care professional. Keep an eye out for these signs of vision loss:

• Bumping into items, tripping, moving very cautiously or placing a hand on the wall while walking
• Appearing to be visually confused in a familiar location
• Over-reaching or under-reaching for objects
• Discontinuing particular enjoyable activities like reading, watching movies, driving, walking, or getting involved in hobbies
• Tilting the head or squinting to see, or holding reading material close to the face
• Struggling to identify other people's faces, objects or colors
• Stains on clothing or outfit color combinations that don't match
• Looking for more or different types of lighting for reading or other activities
• Having problems with cutting or serving food, or knocking over glasses

Furthermore, if the older adult complains about the items below, it could be a sign of losing vision:

• Mentioning seeing halos or rings around lights, or observing spots in front of his or her eyes
• Expressing eye pain
• Experiencing diminished night vision, double or distorted vision

Losing vision doesn’t have to equate to a loss of freedom. With a little help from our team in Medford senior services at All Care, older individuals with vision problems can continue to safely enjoy all that life has to offer. Our caregivers can provide transportation services, meal preparation, house cleaning, errand-running, and much more, allowing older adults to age at home where they are most comfortable, to stick to the routines with which they’re familiar, and to enjoy enhanced socialization. Call us any time at (541) 857-9195 or contact us online to learn more! See our full Oregon service area.