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For seniors looking for comfort and familiarity, in-home care has become a popular alternative to care homes, allowing older adults to get the independence and peace of mind they want. While staying at home brings many benefits, it can be harder to access the professional care and resources needed to maintain proper wellness. This is especially true for eye care, as regular and precise tests or treatments are required to ensure one’s vision is healthy. However, there are many ways seniors can get the help they need from the comfort of their own homes, which can make eye care easy, doable, and accessible. Here’s how seniors in in-home care can better protect their eye health:
Get regular eye tests
Anyone of any age needs regular eye tests, but adults over 65 are recommended to get them done more often. It’s advised that seniors see eye professionals annually because they have a higher risk of developing age-related eye problems. However, eye tests can be costly and inconvenient for older adults in in-home care. Fortunately, some services can conduct these tests at home for free. Adults over the age of 60 are entitled to a free sight test from the NHS, and the mobile sight test is available for those unable to leave home. If you want these tests done more frequently, an ophthalmic practitioner or optometrist can be consulted, and they may recommend having it done earlier if clinically necessary. These free and mobile eye tests can ensure seniors in in-home care get the advice and care they need for their vision.
Sign up for an eyewear home trial
Wearing glasses with an incorrect or outdated prescription can harm the eyes, so getting new glasses is vital for eye health. Seniors who need a fresh pair may find it difficult to go to a store and try on multiple glasses. However, technology has advanced enough to allow older adults to try on glasses at home and have them delivered to their doorstep. Some online eyewear retailers offer free home trials that will send a person’s top-choice frames to their homes so they can get a feel for their fit, weight, and size. These trials are unlimited, so they can try on hundreds of styles to find the perfect match. The trial package can be returned once the right pair has been found, and the chosen frame can be ordered online. Seniors can enjoy their new pair of glasses without having to step foot outside of the house. Home trials can be incredibly convenient for older people with mobility issues, who need care facilities, or who don’t enjoy leaving the house.
Eat a healthy diet
Seniors need a balanced and nutritious diet to boost physical and mental health; the right foods can also help improve and maintain eyesight. Foods rich in antioxidants, like vitamins A and C, are great additions to an eye-healthy diet. These foods include leafy, green vegetables and fish. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids also maintain the health of the macula, which is responsible for central vision in the eyes. It’s also been found that vegetables of certain colours can improve eyesight and visual range. Dark green, yellow, or orange vegetables can boost both eye and brain health due to the presence of high levels of the compounds lutein and zeaxanthin in plants of these pigments. Eating a healthy diet is an easy way for seniors to maintain eye and vision health at home, and it comes with many benefits or overall wellness.