Durham Senior Care: How to Adjust to Vision Loss Related to Diabetes

By:  Todd Palmer

Providing Durham Senior Care we see Diabetes as a health condition that can cause many different complications. One of the most common is vision impairment, which is sparked by a long list of issues that can arise. According to WebMD, "diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 20 to 74."[1] For this reason, it is integral that you ensure that your elderly loved one has access to regular eye examinations if they have diabetes. Additionally, it is imperative that you are able to assist them in adjusting to vision loss that may take place due to this disease.

WebMD explains that several different complications can cause vision loss in individuals with diabetes. These include:

• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic Retinopathy

While these conditions impact the eyes in very different ways, they can be detected by a few of the same symptoms. If your senior experiences dark spots, flashes of light, blurriness, or "holes" in their field of sight it is important to get them into their ophthalmologist's office as soon as possible.

If your elderly loved one is, indeed, experiencing vision loss due to diabetes they will certainly need your support in adjusting to this new development in their health. The first thing to do is ensure that they have the best healthcare available. In some cases, your senior's ophthalmologist may have the ability to alleviate or slow the degeneration of their vision. As such, it is essential that your senior can make it to the necessary doctor's appointments and access the medications and other treatment options that are recommended.

In terms of the day to day care of your senior, you may find it necessary to transfer your loved one into a nursing home if their vision impairment is severe and home care is not an option. If home care is a possibility, though, ask your senior if they would rather move into a nursing home or continue aging in place with the assistance of an elder care professional.  No matter what they choose, it is important that they have the assistance they need to remain secure and uphold the highest quality of life possible. The senior care professionals of Durham, North Carolina, can help you and your elderly loved one determine the best arrangement for your senior.

If you have any questions regarding Senior Care in Durham, please visit us at Always Best Care for Chapel Hill and Durham. 

Please take advantage of our free e-book that provides information on senior care and an overview of the services we offer.

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If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's, dementia and elder care, contact Todd Palmer and the professionals at Always Best Care of Chapel Hill and Durham at (919) 357-1440 visit their website.

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[1] http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/eye-problems