Understanding the risks your parent faces as they age in place is one of the most important things you can do for them as their family caregiver. By recognizing the specific risks they face, you can adjust your care routine to reduce this risk, as well as prepare yourself for the possibility of them developing the condition, so you can be ready to give them the care they need.
When this comes to cataracts, knowing if your parent is at increased risk of suffering this pervasive eye health issue allows you to closely monitor their function and behavior to detect changes that might show they are suffering low vision. This is important not just for keeping them safer, but also to find ways to support quality of life and activity even through these changes.
Some potential risk factors for cataracts include:
- Being older. Nearly 4 and a half million people over the age of 40 throughout the United States are living with cataracts. By the age of 70, around half of seniors are living with this condition.
- Having diabetes, especially if it is not well managed
- History of excessive exposure to sunlight
- Personal history of smoking
- Obesity
- Having high blood pressure, especially if it is not well managed
- Personal history of eye injury
- Personal history of inflammation in the eye
- Personal history of eye surgery
- Frequently drinking and excessive use of alcohol
- Extended use of certain types of medications
If your aging parent has these risk factors, don’t hesitate to talk to their eye doctor. Early detection is important to preparing for management and treatment that is right for your senior. The doctor can provide recommendations for how to slow the development of cataracts, and how to preserve vision for longer.
Starting homecare for your aging parent can be a valuable way to support their health, improve their quality of life, and help them to manage health issues as they arise. It can also be instrumental in protecting your parent’s health and safety as they deal with health risks and cope with the changes that can come along with aging.
If your parent is at increased risk of developing cataracts, or has already developed this issue, the highly personalized services of an elderly homecare services provider an help your parent to cope with their diminished vision, reduce the risk of your parent suffering health and safety challenges associated with their low vision, and help them continue to stay as independent and active as possible as they age in place.
Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790
If you or an aging loved one are in need of Homecare Services in Northport NY or the surrounding areas, contact the caring professionals at Star Multi Care Services today at (631)956-8835. We are the Right Choice for Home Health Care Services!
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