Glaucoma refers to high eye pressure, also known as intraocular pressure. Open-angle glaucoma can lead to vision problems, however, closed-angle glaucoma can also cause severe eye pain, headache, nausea, and vomiting. If your elderly family member has glaucoma and lives by themselves, they may benefit from the following interventions that a senior home care provider can offer.

Eye Drop Instillation

Beta-blocker eye drops are prescribed for people with glaucoma. They need to be instilled every day and if they are instilled improperly or if the person forgets to use their eye drops, their intraocular pressure may spike, putting their vision at risk.

A senior home care provider can instill your loved one's glaucoma eye drops properly so that their eye pressure remains within normal limits. Elderly people who have cognitive deficits, hand tremors, arthritis, or other health conditions may have trouble grasping the small eye drop bottle or they may accidentally instill too many drops into their eyes. The senior home care provider can also monitor the person's eyesight so that if vision problems should occur as a result of glaucoma, they can notify the family or the individual's ophthalmologist. 

Household Chores And ADLs

Aging glaucoma patients may be unable to safely perform their household chores. If your loved one has vision loss as a result of glaucoma, they may be at risk for falling when vacuuming, mopping the floor, and going up and down the stairs to do laundry. Their vision may be so impaired that they may even trip over a pet or object on the floor.

Impaired vision can also prevent glaucoma patients from performing their ADLs, also known as their activities of daily living. ADLs include taking a bath or shower, eating, oral hygiene care, dressing, and hair care. The senior home care provider can assist your loved one with their ADLs and household chores, while ensuring pathways and floors are clear from items and obstacles that can cause a fall. They can also help their visually-impaired patients apply their makeup so that it looks nice when they go out.

If your loved one has glaucoma and needs assistance in the home, contact a senior in-home care agency to learn how they can help. You can ask the agency representative questions about scheduling and payment options, services offered, and whether or not their agency accepts your loved one's insurance. When visually impaired people get the in-home help they need, they will feel safer, more confident, and more inspired to be more independent.

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