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Six Signs Seniors with Dementia Can’t See Well

Sometimes seniors with dementia can’t share the changes they’re experiencing, like when their vision is worsening.
Alzheimer’s home care helps spot vision changes in seniors.
Alzheimer’s home care helps spot vision changes in seniors.

Dementia brings all sorts of challenges for aging adults. They often have trouble with cognitive functioning, memory, and even personality changes. As dementia progresses, it’s more difficult for seniors to communicate how they’re feeling and what they’re experiencing. That can even mean that seniors may not let anyone know when they have new trouble seeing well. Thankfully, there are signs that family caregivers and Alzheimer’s home care providers can watch for so that they can help seniors adjust more easily.

 

Mobility Changes

When seniors have a difficult time seeing well, they may no longer be able to avoid obstacles. This could mean they start tripping more often or bumping into door frames and other objects. They might even walk with their hands along the walls to help them navigate.

These changes in mobility mean that something has changed, often with vision. Alzheimer’s home care providers can assist with mobility, keeping seniors safer as they move through their homes.

 

Missing Items When Reaching for Them

If seniors with dementia have trouble seeing, they might miss objects when they reach for them. The glass of water that they think is in one spot might be an inch or two in a different direction. Spills and accidents might become more common, because depth perception and other spatial input related to vision doesn’t work as well as it did in the past.

 

Giving Up Favorite Activities

Seniors with dementia can often engage in their favorite activities for a long time. They might not engage in them in the exact same ways they did before dementia progressed, but they can adapt most activities. If aging adults suddenly stop doing their favorite activities, like reading or making art, the cause might be related to vision changes.

 

Changes in Head or Eye Position When Looking at Things

Most people don’t realize that when they have trouble with their vision, they unconsciously try to accommodate the vision trouble to see better. This might mean tilting their heads or holding items really close to their faces. For seniors with dementia, they may not notice they’re making these accommodations at all.

 

Increased Trouble with Clothing

When they can’t see well, seniors with dementia may not notice that their clothing is stained or that it doesn’t match. They may feel as if they’re getting dressed exactly the same way they have in the past.

Alzheimer’s home care providers can help aging adults with dementia to have clean clothing readily available. They can also help seniors match up outfits that are comfortable and allow them to look their best.

 

Increased Difficulty Eating

Another issue seniors with dementia might encounter if they’re having vision issues is that they also have more trouble eating. Serving themselves food or using utensils may be much more difficult because seniors can’t see what they’re doing.

Alzheimer’s home care providers can offer seniors support with accessing their food safely and easily. If they’re unable to eat on their own, professional caregivers can help them get the nutrition they need.

 

Losing their vision doesn’t have to mean that seniors with dementia are helpless or can’t be as independent as possible anymore. It does sometimes mean that they may need extra help, and Alzheimer’s home care providers can offer that support.

 

 

 

If you or an aging loved one is considering Alzheimer’s Home Care in Ellicott City, MD, please contact the caring staff at A+ Personal Home Care. Call (443) 660-8757, After Hours: (443) 796-5241

A+ Personal Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Baltimore and the DC Metro Area, with offices in Pikesville and Gaithersburg.

Timur Yusufov

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