Top Tips to Prevent Loss of Vision
There are many types of vision loss that occur commonly in the elderly. Some of the types are cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related vision loss. Luckily, the National Institute on Aging and other professional resources have some tips to prevent loss of vision in the elderly. As a family caregiver, you can share these vision loss prevention tips with your elderly loved one. Then, you and in-home care providers can help remind your elderly loved one to utilize these tips.
Sun Protection
In-Home Care Gotha, FL: Vision Loss
The number one tip to prevent loss of vision in the elderly years is sun protection. It is very important that senior citizens wear hats and sunglasses when outside. These two things can help to protect their eyes from ultraviolet rays. Studies show that people who protect their eyes from the sun keep their vision intact for much longer than those who don’t. It should also be noted that the rays from the sun can speed up the formation of cataracts and can be a factor in macular degeneration development, too.
Managing Diabetes
Unfortunately, there are many senior citizens who struggle with diabetes. If this is the case for your elderly loved one, it may be a good idea for you and their in-home care providers to remind them to take their medications and see their doctor regularly. If diabetes gets out of hand, it can lead to blood sugar issues, which can affect what was healthy vision.
Managing Blood Pressure
Does your elderly loved one have high blood pressure? If so, it doesn’t only increase the risk of strokes and heart disease. In fact, it can affect vision as people age, too. The longer someone has high blood pressure, the more damage it can do to blood vessels. This affects vision because there are blood vessels in and around the eyes that can be damaged. The higher the blood pressure is, the worse and quicker vision loss can happen.
Eating Eye-Healthy Foods
Another tip for preventing loss of vision for senior citizens is to eat eye-healthy foods. These are foods that are filled with minerals, antioxidants, and nutrients. Studies have shown that these types of foods help with the prevention of macular degeneration and general vision loss. Some of the eye-healthy foods that you or home care providers should encourage your elderly loved one to eat include:
- Yellow and orange vegetables
- Leafy green vegetables
- Eggs
- Fish
- Nuts
All these foods should be eaten regularly. You and in-home care providers can even work with your elderly loved one to create a meal plan that includes a lot of different recipes that mix in these foods. Remember, the more regularly your elderly loved one sticks to this type of diet, the better it will be for their eyes and overall health.
Conclusion
These are some of the top tips to prevent loss of vision in the elderly. As a family caregiver, it is important to help your elderly loved one keep their vision healthy along with improving overall health, too. You and the in-home care providers should start encouraging your elderly loved one to follow through with these tips beginning today.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering In-Home Care in Gotha, FL please contact the caring staff at Winter Garden Senior Home Care today. (407) 347-2050
Sources
https://www.cdc.gov/visionhealth/risk/tips.htm
Founder / Owner
Jennifer Talbot is the Co-Owner of Winter Garden Senior Home Care in Winter Garden Florida.The business opened on Plant Street in October of 2007 (formally known as Age Advantage).
Jennifer remains active in the business and enjoys personally meeting with families looking for professional, classy caregivers. She prides herself in taking the time to listen and appreciate the personalities and life experiences of people who wish to “age in place”.Her unique ability to match people with their ideal caregiver, combined with a strong sense of service is what makes her business so successful.
Mrs. Talbot is a current member and past president of the Winter Garden Rotary Club, past president of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, active West Orange Chamber member, Recipient of the “Spirit of West Orange” Award 2017, Past Business Networking International Growth Coordinator, Past Committee member and founder of South Lake’s HINT, sustainer member of the West Orange Junior Service League, past board member for AGED, advisory board member for Elder Advocates, a United States Air Force brat, and proud mother of two college graduates.
Rebecca Lanterman
Owner
Rebecca has worked in the Central Florida medical community for over 10 years.She is a native of Winter Garden, Florida andhas a driving passion to serve our seniors.It has been said that Rebecca never meets a stranger.Her experience has been in Hospice, Hospitals, Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Communities where she faithfully served as a community liaison helping residents and families understand the myriad of long term care and healthcare options.
Rebecca is the mom of a little guy who is the twinkle of her eye.She can often be heard telling stories of traveling all around the country pulling her camper.To Rebecca, to live life is to touch it and experience it.Growing up in Central Florida afforded her some unique experiences like being a part of the “Magic” at Walt Disney World where she was a Walt Disney World Spirit Ambassador.She feels that this early indoctrination by The Walt Disney Company helped her understand the true value of serving others.To this day, she still has some of that Pixie Dust.Rebecca has also accomplished countless marathons and triathlons. After the sudden loss of her dad, her training partner, in 2012 she stepped away from the sport.But, as time has passed and healing has taken place, she is back to pursuing their dreams again.This time, her dad, her trusty training partner is keeping pace in her heart.It is from that willingness and drive that Rebecca has a keen understanding of the arduous and often treacherous course that our families are on.And, she is here to come along beside you and be with you each step, each stride, and each hurdle.It’s the old adage “life is a marathon and not a sprint”.She is here along with the team at Winter Garden Senior Home Care to be a part of your journey.
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