March is Save Your Vision Month: How to Protect Senior Eyes

One of the health problems that can come with aging is eye problems. Some eye problems that affect seniors can threaten their vision and may cause permanent vision loss. Eye problems that are common in older adults include macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. However, there are some ways that you can help your older adult family member to protect their eyesight.

Senior Care in Boca Raton FL: Protect Senior Eyes

Below are some tips for protecting senior eyes…

Regular Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are one of the best ways older adults can keep their eyes healthy. People aged 60 and older need to have their eyes dilated at least once per year. Dilation allows the eye care professional to see the back of the eye, which is the only way to detect some eye problems. A senior care provider can remind the older adult of upcoming eye appointments. They can also provide transportation to the eye doctor.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Like the rest of the body, eyes rely on good nutrition, so eating a good diet is essential to eye health. Some nutrients have been proven to benefit eye health and protect against age-related eye problems.

To boost eye health, try adding foods with these nutrients to the senior’s diet:

• Omega-3 fatty acids.
• Lutein.
• Zinc.
• Vitamin C.
• Vitamin E.

A senior care provider can help your aging relative to improve the way they eat by helping them to plan meals, grocery shopping with them, and assisting them with cooking. If the older adult is unable to cook because of a disability or simply doesn’t like cooking, the senior care provider can cook without help from the older adult.

Wear Sunglasses

Older adults should wear sunglasses to protect their eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Look for sunglasses that offer 100 percent UV ray protection. Encourage the older adult to wear sunglasses anytime they go outside. A senior care provider can remind them to put sunglasses on.

Quit Smoking

Smoking causes all kinds of health problems, and it can affect vision, too. Smoking can harm the optic nerve, increase the risk of macular degeneration, and cause cataracts. Unfortunately, quitting can be very difficult. If your aging relative needs help to quit smoking, talk to their doctor. There are medications and strategies that can make quitting easier. A senior care provider can also encourage the older adult to quit smoking. Sometimes just having someone around to distract them from the urge to smoke can make a big difference.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Senior Care in Boca Raton, FL, please call the caring staff at Alongside Home Health.  Providing senior care in Palm Beach County and surrounding cities. Call for Assistance: (800) 712-4266

Sources

https://www.webmd.com

http://www.allaboutvision.com

https://www.nia.nih.gov

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Michelle Hankla, Patient Care Coordinator and Community Liaison

Patient Care Coordinator and Community Liaison at Alongside Home Health

Michelle has spent many years in a customer focused setting in a variety of community organizations. She has worked with seniors for many years particularly those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia. As part of the Alongside team, she works closely with our client service team to ensure client satisfaction. She visits healthcare facilities, clients and their families to ensure that top notch care is being provided to their satisfaction. She is the interface between our caregivers, clients, and our organization that keeps everything operating smoothly. She has resided in Palm Beach county for many years and has two children.

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