Caring For Aging Parents With Presbyopia

When talking about eye disorders and the elderly, glaucoma and cataracts probably come to mind. It's not surprising though since they are very common. Presbyopia is one disorder that will happen to just about all people as they age, but the degree of severity can differ among aging parents. The vision disorder occurs as we get older and it can only worsen.

Over time, the eye's natural lens will harden and as a result, the eye cannot focus light directly onto the retina. Aging in general though can also affect muscle fibers around the lens which makes it harder to focus on close up objects. When you are young, the lens is soft and flexible and the muscle inside the eye is able to reshape and focus on objects both close and far away. Presbyopia begins to occur in your late 30s, early 40s. By age 50, everyone will experience this deterioration to some degree. However, those who suffer worse cases are the ones who might benefit from the help of home health aides.

Symptoms of presbyopia include, difficulty reading small print, needing to hold reading materials at an arm's length distance, difficulty seeing objects close to you, reoccurring headaches, and eye strain. For some, glasses or a new prescription may be all the care you need. But if your case is more extreme or you are suffering from other eye disorders too, daily activities can pose a dangerous threat. Obviously driving is very dangerous. You pose a threat to yourself and other drivers on the road. But even simple tasks like walking around the home and preparing dinner might not be safe.

If you notice your aging parents putting orange juice in their cereal instead of milk, there may be a serious eye problem. Luckily most eye problems don't require an automatic trip to the nursing home for round the clock care. Home health aides can come to your house and help you with everyday tasks like preparing meals and cleaning. Not being able to see can make even the easiest of tasks harmful. Orange juice in your cereal will taste horrible, but if you grab something poisonous by mistake, it will be more than just unpleasant. To make life easier, you can find different ways of labeling items. For instance, put a rubber band on the milk so you don't confuse it with the juice. Make a clear path in your home so you don't knock into objects or trip.

Eye problems are a serious matter so if you feel you need the extra help of home health aides, don't be ashamed. They are there to make life easier and safe.