How to Keep Your Eyes Healthy As You Age
As your senior grows older, you may be looking at better ways to care for them. One thing that tends to go slowly for aging adults is eyesight. However, there are some preventative measures you can encourage your loved one to take to promote longevity in their eyesight. A few things to encourage your seniors to do while aging in place will help their eyes.
If you feel like your senior needs more help to keep healthy, it may be time to consider hiring home health care to help provide for your senior living at home. Some so many elderly people wish to remain at home in the place they love but have a hard time doing things to keep even their eyes healthy. Home health care comes in many forms, and you will need to find the best professional to help your mom or dad. When you find the right fit, you can encourage your seniors to make healthy choices that will keep up their eyesight.
Stick to a Good Diet Always
Kale, salmon, oranges, and black-eyed peas are foods that the American Academy of Ophthalmology says are good for your heart and eyes. Beta-carotene, found in several meals, is also known to improve night vision. Try eating more carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupes, and apricots, all of which are orange in hue.
Wear Sunglasses in the Sun
Cataracts in older eyes are more likely to develop if exposed to the sun without proper protection, so always have your sunglasses on hand. Sunglasses not only shield your eyes, but they also shield the sensitive skin surrounding your eyes as well. Keep in mind, seniors may even need glasses on bright but cloudy days.
Limit Screen Time and TV
Eye strain may be caused by constantly staring at a screen, such as a phone, TV, or computer. Take several breaks during the day to rest your eyes. Put the 20-20-20 rule into action. Take a 20-second break every 20 minutes and focus on an object at least 20 feet away. If you use this method, you may reduce the amount of stress on your eyes. Many seniors can get sucked into screen time, and it may hurt their eyes if they don’t take a break. It can also cause serious strain that may impact them in the future.
Go To The Doctors and Get an Annual Checkup
Getting a yearly eye exam is the most critical thing you can do to maintain good eye health as you reach your elderly years. Eyesight may change with aging. Your VSP network doctor can help you figure out a treatment plan for anything from a simple prescription update to age-related conditions like glaucoma or cataracts. Maintaining optimal eye health as you age depends on regular visits to your eye doctor, who can monitor any changes in your vision via regular checkups.
If you find your senior is not getting regular checkups, it may be because they are not driving. This is the best time to hire a professional to help a senior get around. It will help ensure they are being taken care of and aging gracefully. Doctor appointments are crucial for seniors to age healthily.
If you or an aging loved-one is considering Home Health Care in Alexandria, VA please contact the caring staff at Thrive Health Care Services today. (703) 992-0484