Tools that Help the Visually Impaired Live Safely at Home

by Lynn Wilson, Founder of The CareGiver Partnership

Help for living safely at home

A study published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association shows risk of hip fractures decreased among seniors who had cataract surgery. During Cataract Awareness Month in August, The CareGiver Partnership wants seniors to know there are options for managing impaired vision before and after cataract removal.

A recent study sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows risk of hip fractures was significantly reduced in Medicare beneficiaries who had undergone cataract surgery. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, this study is significant because seniors are vulnerable to hip and other bone fractures, and previous studies have shown vision loss is a major factor in seniors’ risk of falling.

As vision declines, the risk of falling increases, and up to 40 percent of nursing home admissions are due to falls or fear of falling. Whether a senior is preparing for, or recovering from, cataract surgery — or simply suffers from impaired vision not related to cataracts — there is help for continuing to live safely at home.

• Health: Eyeglasses should be clean and well-fitting, and vision, balance and gait, and blood pressure checked regularly.

• Home: A home designed for someone with low vision includes bright lighting, including nightlights; furniture and cords placed out of pathways; visual contrast between floors and walls; nonskid flooring; and bathroom safety devices such as grab bars and raised toilet seats.

• Technology: Monitoring and safety devices, such as large-button phones with talking caller ID and the My Health Phone, which can be used inside and outside the home, provide peace of mind to those with impaired vision and their families.

• Education: “It All Starts With a Fall — Your Guide to Help Prevent Falls” helps readers identify and correct fall hazards in their homes and yards, teaches about personal safety tools that can make living at home a success, and offers instructions on what to do if they fall or witness a fall. A free copy is available from The CareGiver Partnership, along with coupons for fall prevention products.

Call us. We're here to help you.

The CareGiver Partnership is a national direct-to-consumer retailer of home healthcare products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, daily living aids, nutrition support and more. In its sixth year of providing products and services that help caregivers and loved ones maintain personal dignity, the company also offers an online library of more than 1,200 family caregiver resources and personal service by experts in caregiving. Call 1-800-985-1353 or visit us online.

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