No matter your age, vision matters. But amongst older people, in particular, vision loss is a major health care problem. Approximately one in 3 people experience some form of vision-reducing eye disease by the age of 65. Poor vision or eye-health problems can significantly affect a person’s life, potentially even interfering with their daily tasks and activities.
As National Eye Health Week is 23–30 September 2002, we want to raise awareness of some of the issues older people may face due to poor eyesight and share how respite care in Romford can help.
What is National Eye Health Week all about?
National Eye Health Weeks shines a light on the importance of looking after your sight and caring for your eye health. It promotes the need for regular eye exams to ensure your eye health and vision are the best they can be. For example, a simple sight test can help with the early detection of sight-stealing diseases like glaucoma.
We support National Eye Health Week and hope to do our part in raising awareness of eye diseases and educating others on how to look after their eyes.
Seeing well is such an important part of our daily lives because it enables us to be independent. Poor vision, due to eye conditions like cataracts or glaucoma, can interfere with a person’s ability to cook, look after themselves, drive and more.
Your vision matters
Age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy are among some of the most common causes of vision impairments among older people. These conditions can lead to blurred vision, difficulty reading, distorted central vision, frequent headaches, eye pain and in some cases, even blindness.
In the UK alone, 2 million people are living with sight loss that’s severe enough to significantly impact their daily lives. Half of this sight loss is avoidable. Regular eye exams can help monitor changes in your eye health and catch eye conditions early so that proper treatment can be put in place. Additionally, habits such as eating well, wearing eye protection in bright sunlight, and avoiding smoking also promote healthier eyes.
The impact of poor vision
Poor vision impacts daily life in many ways. Things we take for granted, such as watching TV, cooking dinner, reading a book or driving to visit a friend, can become difficult or even dangerous. It’s no wonder that people with poor vision may feel isolated and alone as their daily interaction with others begins to decrease. In addition, poor vision and an increased dependency on others can contribute to a rise in depression.
How can our respite care services help?
Our friendly carers are here to support you or your loved one in the comfort of your home so that you can remain in the place you love best, despite any vision changes. We’re here to help you with personal care, household tasks like cooking nutritious meals and cleaning and administering medication. The consistent companionship we provide supports mental wellbeing by keeping isolation and depression at bay. Plus, if you want to visit a friend, attend an event or run errands, we’ll make sure you get there safely and on time.
Get in touch
If you or a loved one could benefit from our respite care services, we are here for you. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us or give us a call on 0800 999 3447 with any questions or concerns. Our knowledgeable staff is available to answer any of your questions or provide more information on how we can help.