Cataracts are a common eye condition that affects more than half of Americans by the time they turn 80. Either these elderly individuals have developed a cataract, or they have had cataract surgery. Support is needed when vision problems occur, and here are ways to help a senior with cataracts.
What are cataracts?
When the lens of the eye becomes cloudy, the senior has developed cataracts. Aging or injury can cause changes to the tissue of the eye lens. The resulting breakdown of fibers and protein causes vision to blur over time and leads to the development of cataracts.
Cataracts generally tend to develop in both eyes but may advance at different rates in either eye. A cataract in one eye, for example, may progress more rapidly than a cataract in the other eye. This leads to a difference in vision between both eyes.
What causes cataracts?
Increasing age is a predominant risk factor for developing cataracts. Lifestyle choices, such as smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, can cause cataracts. Spending too much time in the sun is also a known risk factor for the development of cataracts.
Certain medical conditions may lead to cataracts. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and the extended use of corticosteroid medications increase a senior’s chances of developing cataracts. Previous eye surgery and eye inflammation or injury can also cause the eye condition.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Early cataract symptoms include nearsightedness. However, when cataracts first appear, they affect just a small part of the eye lens, and the senior may not notice vision loss. More noticeable symptoms develop as the cataract grows larger and clouds more of the eye lens.
Dim, blurry vision can be a sign of cataracts, as is sensitivity to light and glare. Seniors with cataracts will struggle seeing at night. While reading, the aging individual may require brighter light. Double vision in one eye may be experienced, and changes to eyeglass prescriptions may occur frequently.
How can caregivers support seniors with cataracts?
Given that cataracts can lead to a varying degree of vision loss, depending on how far the condition has advanced, caregivers should support elderly loved ones with daily activities. The vision impairment that comes with cataracts can make it difficult to perform ordinary household duties.
Identify which tasks the senior struggles with the most. Laundry and emptying the trash may become increasingly cumbersome to the senior. Family or professional caregivers should assist the senior with the household chores in order to maintain a hygienic and tidy home environment.
Seniors already have a high risk for falls and subsequent injury. Vision loss due to cataracts can amplify fall hazards. Caregivers are advised to monitor the home for fall risks and clean up clutter along walkways. In public, inspect sidewalks for uneven surfaces and help the senior navigate them safely.
An elderly individual with advanced cataracts will be unable to safely operate a vehicle. When the senior needs to run errands or attend social gatherings, caregivers can help by providing transportation. Friends, family, and professional caregivers are safer options for getting around town.
Maneuvering around the kitchen stove is another hazard for seniors with untreated cataracts. The stovetop’s hot coils or flames become dangerous obstacles to safe food preparation. Caregivers can step in by preparing balanced meals, hiring a meal delivery service, or utilizing in-home care.
Offer emotional support to a senior who has begun to experience vision loss due to cataracts. Feelings of loneliness and isolation can accompany serious changes to eye health. Listen to the senior’s concerns and assure her that support at home is readily available.
When a senior expresses worries about sudden changes to vision, it’s important to make an appointment for an eye exam right away. Double vision, flashes of light, and sudden eye pain or headaches should prompt an immediate visit to the doctor.
Nutrition is an important factor in enhancing vision. Read Is the Mediterranean Diet Good for Seniors? for more information on how caregivers can better prepare meals for elderly with cataracts.
Is cataract surgery an option?
An eye professional can recommend cataract surgery when and if treatment is necessary. Cataract surgery is an option when the vision loss interferes with everyday activities. Removing cataracts may also be needed when the condition prevents the treatment of other eye conditions.
In the United States, cataract surgery is one of the most effective and common operations. The majority of elderly individuals who undergo the operation experience improved vision. Caregivers must help the senior prepare for the surgery and provide support afterward.
Several hours before the surgery, for instance, a caregiver can ensure the senior does not eat or drink. Anti-inflammatory eye drops may need to be administered two to four times per day, and the caregiver may help the senior apply the drops correctly.
Eyedrops may need to be continued after the surgery to decrease the risk of infection. Once at home, caregivers must ensure the senior does not bend at the waist, since this can increase pressure to the eye. Support the senior at home for eight weeks, when healing will complete.
Family caregivers who work fulltime may be unable to invest time in the home care of seniors after cataract surgery. Assisting Hands Home Care becomes a practical solution to ensure that older adults with any stage of cataracts are fully supported in the comfort and familiarity of home.
Our experienced, licensed, and insured caregivers provide help with all the activities of daily living, such as light housekeeping, assistance with personal hygiene tasks, transportation services, and meal preparation. A senior who receives our compassionate care will enjoy a higher quality of life.
Assisting Hands Home Care services are highly flexible. We are available for respite care, post-surgical care, 24-hour care, companion care, and memory care. A senior who suffers from cataracts or has cataract surgery will benefit from the professional attention our caregivers provide.
Families in Sarasota, Florida, trust the elder care services from Assisting Hands Home Care in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, North Port, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch, FL. Choose our reputable home care agency when your aging loved one needs extra support. Contact us at (813) 868-6782 to schedule an in-home consultation, and we’ll develop the ideal care plan for the senior in your life.
