Live Free Home Health Care, LLC. - Bristol, New Hampshire

All posts within: Sight Impaired

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

These Innovative Products Can Enhance the Independence of the Visually Impaired

There are many innovative and useful specialty products for people who have low vision. These products can be sophisticated or surprisingly simple, and are designed to make it easier to access printed material, use computers, travel and perform activities of daily living. Here are a few examples of innovative products to enhance the independence of the visually impaired:

Talking Color Identifier with Light Probe

This small device detects about 100 colors, which can be very helpful when dressing independently. It speaks clearly at three volumes and has an earphone jack.

Hi-Mark™ Tactile Pen

This pen produces a three-dimensional plastic liquid that makes raised lines, dots and shapes to identify clothing, canned goods, frozen foods, and mark the settings on appliances.

VOXCOM III Voice Labeling System

Record messages by pressing a button and inserting a card into the unit. You can then attach the card to canned goods, medication, clothing, food, and household items in order to identify them.

i.d. mate OMNI

This device is a talking bar code scanner that also has the ability to record personal voice messages. It provides assistance when identifying products at home or the store.

Eye-Pal SOLO

This is an appliance that reads for you or can be plugged into a computer monitor to enlarge the text for reading. Just place a book under the reading eye and it begins reading aloud. You can then wave a hand in front of the eye to pause the reading.

For more assistive products for the visually impaired and to find out where to purchase the products mentioned, click here.

Live Free Home Healthcare’s caregivers are well trained in identifying and providing solutions to enhance the independence of the visually impaired. Providing in-home care services in Concord, New Hampshire and the rest of the Lakes region and Central New Hampshire, contact us today to learn more about how we can assist.

Tags:   better quality of life, eldercare, Sight Impaired

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Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Simple Home Adaptations to Enhance Safety of Persons with Low Vision

Enhancing independence for a person who is sight impaired can be as straightforward as simple home modifications that make activities safer and more convenient. Evaluating and modifying the home does not have to be expensive or difficult. The key things to keep in mind are to reduce clutter and pay special attention to the basic concepts of lighting, color and contrast.

Useful adaptations around the house include:

Lighting

 Try to maintain continuous lighting levels throughout the home. If possible, install supplementary lighting in entryways, hallways, and at the top and bottom of each staircase to eliminate shadows or excessively bright areas.

 Install fluorescent ceiling fixtures for general room lighting, supplemented with incandescent, LED, or halogen lighting in desk lamps, table lamps, and floor fixtures.

Kitchen

 Use white plates on a dark tablecloth, or place dark dishes on a white or light-colored cloth. If possible, avoid using clear glass cups and dishes.

 Use brightly colored raised marking dots on the stove, oven, and microwave controls to allow for easier adjustments.

Bedrooms

 Use a bedside lamp with a “clap-on” feature, or one that can activate by simply touching the base.

 Install flexible-arm lamps wherever needed for reading or identifying clothing and medication.

For more resources and information for those with low vision, click here.

Consider home care as an option to help a person with low vision adapt and continue performing activities of daily living. An experienced caregiving team such as at Live Free Home Health Care will identify a person’s specific challenges with activities of daily living and help to provide solutions. These solutions can mean the difference between living safely in the comfort of home or a move elsewhere. For more information about how we can help with home care services in Concord and Central New Hampshire and the rest of the Lakes region, contact us today at 603-217-0149.

Tags:   better quality of life, eldercare, home care, Sight Impaired

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Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Colors Can Make a Difference to a Person with Low Vision

If you have family members or friends with reduced vision, pay attention to colors and contrast around their homes. Improving the colors and contrast in the home will allow for increased safety and independence. Here are some simple rules to remember regarding color and contrast for those with low vision:

Generally, solid, bright colors such as red, orange and yellow are easiest to see because of their ability to reflect light.

Place light-colored objects against darker backgrounds. For example, a white sheet of paper is more visible against a brown desktop.

Place dark objects against lighter backgrounds. A dark chair will stand out better against white or cream colored walls.

Distinguishing colors within each of the following groups may be more difficult. Keep this in mind when arranging objects and furniture in the home:

• Navy blue, brown and black

• Blue, green and purple

• Pink, yellow and pale green

Mark the leading edge of the first and last steps with bright paint or light-reflecting tape that contrasts with the background color of the flooring.

Use solid, brightly colored, and/or textured hallway runners to clearly define walking spaces.

Before preparing to assist a sight impaired person with his/her household and furnishings, it is always important to keep that person’s feelings in mind. A person coping with vision loss may be battling a cacophony of fears, including a reduced sense of control over her life, fear of decreased independence, loss of privacy, and concern that others may view her differently. She may also feel overwhelmed or afraid of the future and reluctant to share her thoughts with others. Remaining sensitive to these fears rather than dismissing them will make a significant impact.

A home healthcare nurse at Live Free Home Health Care can also assist by providing specialized in-home care for persons with low vision in order to enhance independence and improve safety. Click here for further resources and information on assisting persons with low vision.

Besides Concord, New Hampshire, Live Free Home Health Care also services the rest of the Lakes region and central New Hampshire. Call us today at 603-217-0149.

Tags:   better quality of life, eldercare, home safety, Sight Impaired

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Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Reduced Vision? Give an Advantage with These Lighting Tips

It is amazing how a few small adjustments to lighting can make such a difference to a person with reduced vision. For example, did you know that cutting the distance in half between a light source and the task (by bringing the light closer to the work) will make the brightness or intensity of the light approximately four times greater? Here are some other lighting tips to give as much advantage as possible to a person with low vision:

To ensure better light in a work area for reading, cooking, using the telephone, or doing crafts, use a “task lamp” with a flexible arm or gooseneck so light can be focused closely and directly on the work area.

If one eye has better vision, position the lamp on that side of the body, slightly to the side.

Watch television in a lighted room. It is easier on the eyes. Be sure, however, that the light isn’t placed where it will cause glare or reflection off of the screen. This can be easily checked with the television screen turned off.

To reduce the heat of a higher-wattage bulb, use a lamp with an internal reflector (a double shade). This reduces the heat significantly, and allows the lamp to be closer to the face than with a single shade, especially one made of metal.

Install extra lighting in places where it may be difficult to move around, such as hallways and stairs.

Install light switches in accessible locations with switch plates that are lighted or contrast with the wall color.

For further lighting tips, click here.

For those with low vision who wish to maintain their independence, consider home care as an option to help someone adapt and continue performing activities of daily living. An experienced caregiving team such as at Live Free Home Health Care will identify a person’s specific challenges with activities of daily living and help to provide solutions. These solutions can mean the difference between living safely in the comfort of home or a move elsewhere. For more information about how we can help, please contact Live Free Home Health Care at 603-217-0149.

Tags:   Sight Impaired

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