2. Objectives
• Describe changes in vision that may
accompany aging
• Describe how the NA might recognize that a
resident has impaired vision
• Name diseases that may cause visual
impairment
• Describe ways to change the environment to
encourage the visually impaired resident’s
independence and to promote safety
• Describe ways to care for the visually
impaired resident
• Describe changes in hearing that may
accompany aging
3. Visual changes that may occur with aging
• Reduced ability to focus vision.
• Decreased sharpness of vision.
• Loss of peripheral vision.
• Reduced ability to acclimate to darkness.
• Increased sensitivity to glare.
• Possible impairment of color vision from
cataracts.
4. Diseases that may cause Visual Loss
• Cataracts
– Clouding of the lens of the eyes
• Glaucoma
– Damage to the optic nerve
– Caused by ncreased internal pressure in eye
• Blood vessel damage
– Diabetes
– High Blood Pressure
• Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
– Commonly known as Stroke
– May remove part of visual field
5. Diseases that may cause Visual Loss
• Macular Degeneration
– Leading cause of severe vision loss in people over
age 60
– Occurs when small central portion of the retina
(macula) deteriorates.
– Retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back
of the eye.
6. Environmental accommodations
• Place objects where the resident can see
them; keep the same location.
• Keep surroundings uncluttered.
• Provide good lighting & adjust blinds to
prevent glare.
• Use large print on signs, black on white.
7. Eye Glass care
• Wearing correct eye glasses.
• Clean and fit properly.
• Store properly when not in use.
9. Clues to hearing loss
• Speaks louder than necessary or increases
volume of TV/radio.
• Asks for words to be repeated.
• Does not react to a sound out of the visual
field.
11. Hearing Aid/Cochlear Implant care
• Replace batteries as needed.
• Clean according to manufacturer’s
instructions.
• Store according to manufacturer’s
instructions – EXPENSIVE!
