Living Independently with Vision Loss

Vision loss is a distressing result of eye conditions that affect approximately 1 out of 3 seniors over the age of 60. While there are resources that help prevent vision loss, it is not uncommon for some form of visual impairment to arise as a senior.

If you have been recently noticing changes in your eyesight, don’t be alarmed, but stay proactive. Depending on the extent, vision loss doesn’t mean that your independence is lost. There are ways to incorporate different methods of organization in your home to make it easier to navigate. Here are some ideas to promote independence if you are affected by vision loss and want to continue safely living independently.

Labels and Colors

The use of labels and color are great methods to help you efficiently find what you need. This could be as simple as labeling your dresser drawers or kitchen cabinets. Make sure you use big letters to make them easier to read. If you need additional help in navigating where things are, using color is a great way to make things pop out. Simply tape bright colors to areas that you need help finding so that you can be more efficient with your time. This could also be used for furniture; for example, putting a contrasting colored rug in front of your shower. There's no set way to incorporate labels and colors, do what you believe will work for you. 

Lighting 

If you haven’t replaced the lightbulbs in your home for a while, now might be the time to do so. Make sure you create lighting spaces in the darker corners of your home that may be potentially risky to maneuver. This will help you safely move about without crashing into anything. It’s also useful to open your windows and let the natural light stream in. Having good lighting makes a significant difference if you are visually impaired; if you are unable to change the lightbulbs in your home, don’t be afraid to ask a family member or friend for help. 

Don’t Rearrange Furniture 

It may be tempting to rearrange your home in an attempt to make it easier to navigate. But sometimes it's best to keep things where they are. Your body becomes so accustomed to habit that it becomes instinctual to know where things are without seeing them, similar to how you know the route to your work or family member’s home without thinking about it. Depending on the extent of vision impairment, this may not be the case for everyone but it’s something to keep in mind. 

Stay Organized

The last and most important tip is to stay organized. In our lives, it becomes easy to get lazy about organization. It’s much easier to just throw down your jacket and keys after a long day, thinking, I’ll put this away later, yet forgetting about it the next day. So don’t just throw down your keys or remote without care. Always put them in the same location so you aren’t scrambling to find them. Organization in the refrigerator and pantry can be helpful as well. Put similar types of food in the same place so that you can easily find what you are looking for. Using this tip is much easier said than done, but the outcome will be extremely beneficial.

Living with vision impairment may seem like a daunting task, but there are many things you can integrate into your home that will make it easier to continue living independently. Speak with your doctor and do what works for you so that you can continue living safely as a senior. 

— Madison Calhoon