Poor vision and age-related eye diseases aren’t always inevitable. Even though eyesight deteriorates as people grow older, seniors can do quite a bit to boost their vision after the age of 65. Here are some simple tips you can use to help your aging loved one protect his or her vision.
Revamp the Diet
A nutritious diet is a senior’s first line of defense against vision loss, and your loved one might need to make some major dietary changes to keep his or her eyes healthy. Most medical specialists agree seniors should primarily eat fresh produce, whole grains, seafood, legumes, healthy fats, and lean meats. They also need to eat plenty of brightly colored fruits and vegetables that contain beta-carotene, vitamin A, and flavonoids.
Some seniors need assistance with meal prep. If your senior loved one needs hourly or live-in care, Portland Align Home Care can help. Our caregivers can assist with exercise and mobility, prepare nutritious meals, provide timely medication reminders, and help with a wide array of other important daily tasks.
Keep the Heart Healthy
Seniors with cardiovascular conditions often have poor eyesight as well. If your loved one’s heart is damaged or overworked, it may not be able to pump blood and other nutrients to the eyes. Your loved one should try to exercise for at least 150 minutes every week to boost his or her cardiovascular health. He or she also needs to be tested for diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol once or twice a year.
Older adults can boost their cardiovascular health by making several healthy lifestyle choices. If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Align Home Care, a trusted provider of elder care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping.
Encourage Wearing Sunglasses Outside
Getting a little bit of sunlight every day is extremely beneficial, but seniors shouldn’t expose their eyes to UV rays for more than a few minutes at a time. A good pair of sunglasses will prevent UVA and UVB rays from damaging your loved one’s retinas while outside. Seniors who wear contact lenses should be especially wary of standing out in the sun without sunglasses. Wearing a large hat with a wide brim is another option, but sunglasses with polarized lenses are much more effective at blocking sunlight.
Remind Your Loved One to Take Computer Breaks
The average senior spends roughly six hours a day in front of a screen. Younger adults are usually told to take screen breaks once every hour, but seniors should try to step away every 20 or 30 minutes. As seniors grow older, their tear ducts are no longer going to produce as much fluid, which means their eyes will dry out much more quickly while staring at screens.
Set a Strict Sleep Schedule
While sleeping, the eyes are covered with a natural lubricant that clears away lingering debris that got trapped during the day, including dander, pollen, dust, smoke, and many other common irritants that float through the air. The process of cleaning away the debris takes a few hours, which is why your loved one needs to get at least six hours of restorative sleep every night.
Vision loss is’t the only health issue older adults are prone to. Seniors can face a variety of age-related challenges. Though some families choose to take on the caregiving duties, there may come a time when they need a trusted Portland senior home care provider. Families sometimes need respite from their duties so they can focus on their other responsibilities, and some seniors need around-the-clock assistance that their families are not able to provide. Align Home Care is here to help. Call us at (207) 835-3490 to create a customized in-home care plan.