As seniors age, their eyesight becomes weaker and the risk of age-related macular degeneration increases. However, there are several things your elderly loved one can do to maintain a healthy pair of eyes. Here are a few tips to help your loved one keep his or her vision sharp.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
Vitamins A, C, and E are some of the essential nutrients that help the eyes function optimally and prevent age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among seniors. Yellow and green vegetables contain these crucial antioxidants, as do fruits like blueberries, grapes, and goji berries. The fatty acid DHA, which can be found in fish like salmon and cod, helps eye cell membranes receive the structural support they need.
Some seniors need help shopping for nutritious foods and preparing healthy meals at home. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of respite care. Arlington seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable home caregivers.
Consider Eye Medications
Instead of having laser surgery or noninvasive surgical procedures, some seniors opt for taking medications to boost their eye health and treat macular degeneration. Eye medications can serve several purposes, including:
- Decreasing the need for surgeries like scleral buckling, which repairs the retina
- Treating age-related deterioration around the eyes and detachment of the retina from the fibrous tissue that forms outside the eye
Before your loved one tries any eye medications, make sure he or she gets approval from a doctor.
Older adults who need help attending their medical appointments can benefit from professional in-home care. When searching for reliable homecare agencies, families want to know their senior loved ones will be well taken care of. At Assisting Hands Home Care, our expertly trained caregivers are available around the clock to assist with tasks around the house, provide transportation to medical appointments and social events, and much more.
Get Plenty of Sleep
The more sleep your loved one gets, the better his or her vision is likely to be. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep each night helps the eyes fully rest, repair, and recover. Because aging can lead to restless nights and sleep deprivation, you’ll need to find ways to help your loved one get a good night’s rest, which may include reading to him or her or discouraging drinking too much liquid right before bedtime.
Stop Smoking
Giving up cigarettes can boost vision and prevent age-related eye conditions. Smoking can lead to macular degeneration, and it can also increase the severity of this disease. Quitting smoking can prevent cataracts and cloudy vision. If your loved one cannot quit smoking completely, it’s imperative for him or her to see a doctor regularly for comprehensive eye examinations.
Older adults can boost their overall health by making a number of healthy lifestyle choices. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Arlington families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia. For more information about our flexible, customizable home care plans, call one of our compassionate Care Managers today.