February was Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) & Low Vision Awareness Month, making it a great time to talk to your elderly loved one about the risks and signs of vision loss. Once vision loss occurs, it cannot be restored, which makes early awareness especially important. As vision changes begin, many families also explore options such as personal care at home to help seniors stay safe and supported.
Understanding the symptoms and risk factors of AMD can help your loved one continue to enjoy daily life while maintaining independence in a familiar environment.
Macular Degeneration is an eye disease that affects a person’s ability to see objects directly in the central area of their vision. When it has an “A” added to it, as in AMD, then it’s Age-related, the most common type of macular degeneration. AMD can affect one eye or both and is the leading cause of vision loss among the elderly in the United States.
AMD Symptoms and the Role of Personal Care at Home
There are two types of AMD: Dry AMD and Wet AMD. Both have different symptoms that occur at different speeds.
Dry AMD is the most common type of Macular Degeneration and accounts for the majority of diagnoses. Symptoms occur slowly, and most people don’t lose their vision completely unless it transitions into Wet AMD.
As these symptoms progress, personal care at home providers can offer valuable support with daily activities like reading, cooking, and navigating the home safely. The symptoms for both types are similar, with the major difference being how quickly they appear and progress.
Dry AMD symptoms include:
- Trouble seeing in low-light situations.
- Struggling to see clearly through the central part of vision. Your loved one may notice problems reading, sewing, or cooking.
- Straight lines start to appear curved or wavy.
- Colors start to look different, perhaps more muted or darker than they should be.
Wet AMD symptoms include:
- All of the above, plus the appearance of dark spots in the vision.
- Often accompanied by headaches.
- Difficulty in seeing faces or being able to drive.
AMD Risk Factors and How Personal Care at Home Can Help
As its name states, the main risk factor for AMD is age. It is most common in those over the age of 60 and is more prevalent in Caucasian women with light-colored eyes.
Other risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, heart conditions, prolonged sun exposure, poor diet, and past head injuries.
For seniors at higher risk or already experiencing vision changes, personal care at home can provide an added layer of safety and support, helping manage daily routines while reducing the risk of accidents or missed care.
Other risk factors include:
- Being a smoker
- Having high blood pressure and not keeping it under control.
- Being obese.
- Having high levels of bad cholesterol
- Heart conditions and diseases can increase the risk.
- Having been exposed to the sun a lot in their lifetimes, especially if protective sunglasses were not worn regularly.
- Eating a diet that is low in antioxidants.
- Having sustained a serious head injury.
Those with AMD May Require More Personal Care at Home
If your elderly loved one has some vision loss due to AMD, they might need more help with their personal care at home needs. This can range from small things like putting on makeup or shaving to larger activities like driving or preparing a meal. Luckily, even if your elderly loved one has some vision loss, they can still live independently in many cases.
Using assistive devices specifically made to help people with low vision manage their environments, as well as having regular visits from providers who offer personal care at home, can support your elderly loved one’s desire to continue to age in place in their home.
If you or an aging loved one is considering Personal Care at Home in Lone Tree, CO, please contact the caring staff at Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, today. Call (303) 647-1800
At Talem Home Care & Placement Services of Denver, CO, we provide passionate, understanding, and flexible caregivers in Denver, Englewood, Lakewood, Aurora, Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Parker, Centennial, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Castle Rock, and surrounding areas in Colorado.
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