August is National Eye Exam month. Seniors should be getting their vision checked at least once a year. If it’s been awhile since your senior parent visited the eye doctor for a checkup now is a great time to schedule an appointment for one. But there are some things that seniors can do everyday to help preserve and protect their vision too like:
Stop Smoking
Smoking damages blood vessels and can impact the vascular system, which can cause damage to the optic nerve and the eyes themselves. There are many reasons why seniors shouldn’t smoke, but preserving their vision is a big one. If your senior loved one still smokes you should encourage them to quit. If they need assistance senior home care can help make sure that they don’t smoke out of boredom or loneliness. There are also medications that can help seniors quit smoking.
Wear Sunglasses
Sunglasses should be worn by seniors whenever they are outside during the day. Even if the weather is cloudy the UV rays can cause damage to the eyes. And while most seniors do wear sunglasses to protect their eyes in the summer they forget to wear them in the winter. But the winter sun can be even more damaging because of the way that the sunlight reflects off of snow. Make sure that your senior loved one has a couple of pairs of good sunglasses and that they wear them every time they go outside. Senior home care can help seniors remember to wear their sunglasses and keep track of where their sunglasses are.
Get Some Light On The Subject
Often seniors will turn off lights or keep lights low to keep electricity costs down. But seniors need plenty of light in order to be able to see comfortably and keep their eyes healthy. If it’s too dark they will struggle to see and can cause eye strain. Tell your senior home care provider to turn on more lights and make sure that your senior loved one’s home has enough lighting so they are comfortable and safe. Installing motion detecting lights in a senior’s home is a great way to make sure that they are getting enough light. And motion detecting lights also help reduce the risk of falls at home.
Get Plenty Of Sleep
Sleep is something seniors actually need more than younger people. Sleep is when the brain resets and the body rests but it’s also something that the eyes need. When seniors are sleeping their eyes are relubricating and getting ready to function for another day. Not getting enough sleep can cause dry, red, and irritated eyes that will only get worse as people try to work and do other things. Seniors should be getting at least nine hours of sleep at night. If your senior loved one isn’t getting enough sleep you should talk to their doctor to find out why and treat the cause of the problem.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Senior Home Care in Bloomington, MN please contact the caring staff at Great Oak Senior Care, Inc. today. (952) 767-4925
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