The diminishment of senses is something most people expect as they get older. People simply anticipate not being able to see as well, hear as well, or even taste things as well as they age. While physical changes throughout the body associated with getting older do change how your senior functions, and can change their perceptions, this does not mean they have to just accept the changes. There are often ways to counteract these changes and help your parent to maintain more of their health, well-being, and functioning as they age. One of the more common issues of getting older is cataracts. This clouding of the usually clear lens of the eye decreased vision over time. Understanding this condition can help you as a family caregiver encourage your parent to take control over their eye health, and make decisions about how to manage these issues in the best ways possible.
Some things you should know about cataracts include:
- Nearly 24.5 million people of the age of 40 in the United States are living with cataracts
- By the age of 75, approximately half of Americans have cataracts
- Cataracts can develop in one eye, or both, but it is not contagious and does not "spread" from person to person, or from one eye to the other
- Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye caused by the proteins clumping together
- Cataracts often develop in a person's 40s or 50s, but start to really impact vision in the person's 60s
- Cataracts can be treated through surgical removal if the vision becomes so compromised as to negatively impact functioning and quality of life
Being a family caregiver does not mean having to take on all of the challenges of caring for your senior on your own. In fact, often the best thing you can do for your parent is to reach out for help. Introducing elderly care into your care routine for your parent is a fantastic way to help them live their best life as they age in place. The highly personalized services of an elderly home care services provider are specifically designed to help your parent manage the challenges and needs a face on a daily basis while also encouraging them at to continue seeking out activities they enjoy, opportunities for mental stimulation, engagement with the world around them, and emotional fulfillment. Boosting their sense of independence and autonomy while helping them to stay safe and healthy is a way elderly care improves your senior's life, while also relieving your stress and providing flexibility for your life.
https://nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts
http://www.visionproblemsus.org/cataract/cataract-definition.html
If you are considering hiring elderly care in Ogden, UT for an aging loved one, please contact the caring staff at Seniors Helping Seniors of Ogden, UT. Call today 801-821-4535.