Tips for Helping Your Senior Cope with Glaucoma

By Lori LaPorte | November 6, 2018 |

Glaucoma impacts approximately three million people throughout the United States, but experts estimate only about half of these people actually know that they have the disease. Characterized by increased pressure within the eye that pinches the nerves and diminishes vision, glaucoma is one of the most common complications associated with diabetes. Those who are living with diabetes are at a 40% increased risk of developing glaucoma, though people who do not have diabetes can and do develop the condition as well. As a family caregiver, it is important to recognize that glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the United States, and this can have a tremendous impact on your senior. Making managing their glaucoma a part of your care can help them to cope with these changes and continue to function and thrive.

Elderly Care in Irvine CA: Helping Your Senior Cope with Glaucoma

Use these tips to help you or senior cope with glaucoma:

Be open and honest with the eye doctor about changes in vision, and struggles your parent might be having. They can arrange for a low vision exam that provides greater insight into the extent of the difficulties your parent is facing, and what might help them.
Talk to your parent about the benefits of occupational therapy. This type of therapist can help your parent learn how to perform tasks even with their compromised vision.
Increase lighting in your senior’s home to help them see more clearly.
Create an organizational approach in their home to make it easier for them to find things without having to look extensively for them.
Encourage them to use magnifying screens to continue enjoying their favorite activities and hobbies, such as reading and sewing.
Ask doctors to provide instructions for medications in larger print, or bring a recorder to appointments and have the doctor speak instructions so your parent knows how to take their medications properly.
Utilize the services of an elderly care provider to help your parent manage tasks and challenges throughout their home more effectively.
Remove obstacles throughout the home that may put your parent at risk of falls and other accidents.

The changes that come with aging can be frustrating and difficult for your senior, but they don’t have to just deal with them. Instead, focusing your efforts as a family caregiver on helping them make the most of this later part of their life is one of the most important things you can do to support their highest quality of life, their health, and their ongoing well-being. One of the best ways you can do this is introducing elderly care into their routine. An elderly home care services provider can help your parent to cope with the changes they are facing in effective and meaningful ways that allow them to manage their challenges, pursue their interests, stay active, and find meaning and fulfillment in these later years.

If you or an aging loved-one are considering elderly care in Irvine, CA, please contact the caring staff at Easy Living Home Care today. Providing Non-Medical Home Care Services in Orange County, CA since 2009. Call for Assistance: (949) 282-5017 or (949) 842-6831

Sources

https://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/glaucoma-facts-and-stats.php

https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/glaucoma-treatment

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Lori LaPorte

Founder/Owner at Easy Living Home Care

Easy Living Home Care owner and administrator, Lori LaPorte, has over forty years of extensive experience caring for the elderly community. Ms. LaPorte graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors Degree in Special Education, Elementary Education and Health.

At a very young age it was always Ms. LaPorte’s passion to work with the elderly. She was a caregiver at a nursing home in high school and college and volunteered in senior centers and senior events held by the city in which she grew up. After graduation, Ms. LaPorte became a special education teacher for sixteen years.

She put her teaching career on the sidelines to raise two wonderful children, during which her passion for the elderly inspired her to start Easy Living Home Care in 2009. Ms. Laporte wanted to help people, especially seniors, find competent, qualified, and caring in-home care at reasonable rates.

Ms LaPorte takes an active role in conducting and managing all operations of her business. She is patient, compassionate and listens. Ms. Laporte is always available to her clients and staff.

In her spare time, Lori volunteers for the American Red Cross and Leashes of Love canine rescue organization.