As people age, visual impairment becomes a more common problem. Fortunately, there are many options for assistance. Learn how you can find help for visually impaired seniors in Monterey.
Get a diagnosis
Visual impairment means that a person’s vision cannot be corrected to a normal level. According to the CDC, around 12 million people older than 40 are visually impaired, including 1 million who are blind.
There are many causes of visual impairment among seniors, such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, complications from diabetes, and cataracts.
Sometimes these conditions can go undiagnosed or not be addressed properly. If seniors are having mobility issues, having issues with everyday activities, falling, having blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, or having pain in eyes, see an eye doctor to check their vision and get help.
The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County
The Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County (BVIC) has been around since 1971. They aim to help people that are blind and visually impaired live independently by providing education, training, and services.
Their services include:
- Orientation and mobility: a specialist instructs people how to move safely around their home and community
- Independent living program: learn techniques for labeling items and other organization, managing money, cooking safely, and personal care (such as applying toothpaste, putting on make-up, or shaving)
- Braille reading and typing classes
- Assistive Technology Lab: people can test out different devices to see which is best for them before they purchase one (which they sell)
- Low Vision Clinic: offers vision exams, diagnosis, and treatment plans
- Support and social programs: support groups, social gatherings, and classes
- Helping people find other resources
Other local resources
The BVIC is only one organization that provides help for visually impaired seniors in Monterey by offering resources, several other organizations and websites also offer resource lists:
- 2-1-1 Monterey County: either call 2-1-1 or go to their website to find out other agencies or services that can help
- County of Monterey Aging and Disability Resource Connection: The MCADRC is a collaboration with different local agencies to work together to provide free information about all their services and work with people for referrals, counseling, and coordination
- American Academy of Ophthalmology: provide a resource guide
- Council of the Blind organizations: resource lists are available by both the American Council of the Blind and the California Council of the Blind
Ensure home safety
Vision impairment puts a person at risk of falling. Help them prevent falls by:
- keeping things in easy reach
- immediately cleaning up spills
- ensuring necessary lighting
- removing all items from walkways
- securing any rugs or loose floorboard
- having handrails
- getting an occupational therapist to help them learn how to navigate their home safely
Use safe transportation
Having safe transportation available helps seniors with vision impairment have the freedom to travel. Some transportation options for seniors include:
- Friends and family (they are the best to ensure they get where they need to go safely)
- Monterey-Salinas Paratransit—ride-share program for people with a disability (including vision impairment) that is available during the same hours as the bus route
- Taxis or ride-hailing apps (such as Uber or Lyft) if they can safely manage transfers in and out of the vehicle themselves
- ITN Monterey County—a membership service that offers seniors door-through-door transportation
- Home care services—home care providers offer safe transportation and help transferring and moving around
Avoid social isolation
Vision impairment can cause some seniors to become socially isolated (lacking social connections). According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), social isolation increases the risk of high blood pressure, cognitive decline, depression, and anxiety.
A big way to help visually impaired seniors is to ensure they don’t become socially isolated. Find activities they may enjoy, such as:
- talking with friends and family
- gardening
- walking in nature
- listening to music
- playing an instrument
- fitness classes
- audiobooks or podcasts
- dancing
- pottery or sculpting
- trivia games
- card games (can be large print or braille)
- chess, checkers, or dominoes
- writing
Another way to avoid social isolation is by hiring companionship care, where home caregivers can provide emotional support and mental stimulation. They will spend time with seniors, talk with them, play games, or help them with their favorite hobbies or activities.
Learn more about avoiding social isolation.
Emotional support
Staying active and having social connections is important for people’s emotional and mental health.
Vision loss can be hard on people’s mental health, so another way to get help for visually impaired seniors in Monterey is to make sure they have the emotional support they need. Look into support groups or therapy.
Get helpful assistive technology
A big part of helping visually impaired seniors is finding which assistive technology or adaptive aides are most useful for them. Some options to consider, include:
- Glasses
- Glare control sunglasses
- Magnifiers
- Lamps
- Binoculars
- Screen magnification software
- Screen reading computer software
- Text-to-speech software
- Tactile locator dots
- Large print on their items (such as books, calendars, remotes, clocks, and a deck of cards)
- Audio items (such as audiobook, voice remotes, or talking clocks)
- Automatic pill dispenser
- Labels
- Low vision cutting board
- Microwave bumps
- GPS apps
- White canes
- Guide dogs
Hire home care services
Another way to help is to hire home care for the visually impaired and blind. Home care can help ensure seniors’ homes are safe and free from fall hazards and provide safe transportation (and go with seniors to their appointments or errands).
They can also offer companionship care (and help them participate in their favorite hobbies) and help seniors find and learn how to use assistive technology.
Caregivers can also help seniors continue living independently by helping with medication management, meal prep, light housekeeping, and personal care (such as moving around, bathing, grooming, and going to the bathroom).
Here at Pacific Angels Home Care, we provide help for visually impaired seniors in Monterey, Santa Cruz, Aptos, and the surrounding areas in California.
Our kind caregivers can help visually impaired seniors stay safe, connected, and living independently. We tailor our services to each individual’s needs and are available as needed.
Call us today at (831) 708-2876 or reach us online to learn more about how we help visually impaired seniors in Monterey.
