When Mom Shows Signs of Difficulty Seeing, Elder Care May be Necessary

By Jamie Shapiro | April 16, 2015 | Comments Off on When Mom Shows Signs of Difficulty Seeing, Elder Care May be Necessary

Elder Care in Evanston IL

It might have started out as something minor, but over time you noticed at pattern developing with your elderly mother. She was having difficulty seeing things in the distance. She had last seen an eye care professional more than two years ago and even though you made appointments for her or encouraged her to get back and get her eyes checked out, she has been lax in doing this.

During the past several months you’ve noticed that it’s been even more difficult for her to see clearly and this has caused you a great deal of concern. You’re worried about her eyesight, but also her safety. She’s living in the same house she’s been in for the last 20 years and you feel it’s simply too big for her.

Various health issues arise as people get older. Vision related problems can certainly be a concern for many seniors. April is Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month and the moment you begin noticing your mother having difficulty seeing clearly, that’s the moment when you need to sit down and honestly and seriously discuss elder care options.

What options are available with regard to elder care?

First and foremost, your mother should be encouraged to see an eye care professional as soon as possible. Not every vision related problem is the direct result of the natural process of aging. Yes, sometimes losing the ability to see clearly in the distance could be directly associated with aging.  However, there are other vision related problems that are much more serious, but also treatable. Cataracts, macular degeneration, and glaucoma are some of the major concerns for seniors as they get older.

Whether your mother has cataracts or not, it might be more difficult for her to discern shadows, different surfaces, and other hazards. If she is developing macular degeneration and isn’t aware of it, she will begin to have a loss of the center field of vision. She’ll still be able to see out of her peripheral, but she could lose the ability to see in front of her. With glaucoma, she will begin to have difficulty seeing all together and many of the early symptoms, such as increased pressure on the optic nerve will present without any pain or physical symptoms until it becomes severe enough that it affects her vision.

At the moment, while she’s waiting to see an eye doctor, it’s a good idea to consider home care for the elderly. An experienced, professional home care provider can help your mother get around the house safely, assist her with laundry and light housekeeping, and provide comfort she may desperately need with increasing vision problems.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care services in Evanston, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

Jamie Shapiro
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