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Contributed by AMD Alliance International
Living with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, or any eye condition does not mean that cooking, exercising, socializing, and enjoying a good book become impossible. A few simple adjustments in and around the house will help ensure everyday activities are still within reach.
As a person with vision loss you may have a caregiver with whom you can discuss what is needed and what modifications would be most useful. Make sure that the person whom you are asking for help understands what is most important to you.
As a caregiver, you’re working in someone’s home, whether it is a residence or a short- or long-term care facility. Be sensitive to that fact, and do not take decisions on necessary modifications without discussing them with the person you are caring for.
Sometimes, people with vision loss find it hard to ask for help, for fear of being a nuisance. Tasks that once required no thought, such as hanging a picture, now require the help of a friend or caregiver. As a care giver, you should offer to help as often as you think is appropriate, but be specific. Instead of an open-ended offer such as “Let me know if you need anything,” say, “I am driving to the store. Would you like to come?” Offering and receiving help is a two-way process. Open and honest communication is the best way to ensure that the needs and expectations of both the person with vision loss and the carer are met.
AMD Alliance International is the only international organization in the world dedicated exclusively to promoting awareness, treatment and research into macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the developed world. With 55 members in 21 countries, we are a membership organization comprised of the worlds' leading vision and research organizations.
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