~The Role of Senior Living Managers in Promoting Better Vision Care~
Many people consider vision problems as a natural part of the aging process. However, older adults can actually avoid any permanent damage if they get assistance immediately.
The CDC points out that eye healthcare practices are increasingly important now that six million older adults aged 45 and above have vision impairment, and nearly one million are blind. This number further increases among senior citizens who are more likely to develop glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration after turning 65. While it’s already difficult to have vision impairment, these diseases further put senior citizens at risk of experiencing falls, injuries, depression, and reduced daily functioning.
Due to these health issues, senior living managers cultivated programs to promote better vision care within senior living facilities. To illustrate, here’s what you need to know about vision care within the facilities:
Why Should Senior Living Facilities Provide Vision Care?
Many adults join senior living communities to get help in maintaining their health. Given that eye conditions are common among the aging population, it’s a must for vision care services to be included in these programs.
These mandatory vision care services are essential because the National Institute on Aging notes that many people don’t notice the signs and symptoms of early-stage eye diseases. The institute emphasizes that dilated eye exams performed by health professionals are the only way to detect numerous eye diseases. As such, it’s recommended that older adults get a dilated eye exam every year, or at least once a year if they have diabetes or high blood pressure. A regular assessment of prescription glasses is also recommended because slight changes in one’s vision can increase the risk of falls and injuries. Through these regular exams, senior living facilities can prevent accidents and irreversible eye conditions.
How Senior Living Managers Promote Better Eye Health
Senior living facilities provide personalized care for older adults. As such, facilities must have skilled senior living managers who can develop and implement vision care programs for senior citizens. As the country’s senior population continues to increase, Maryville University explains that senior living managers are highly sought after due to their expertise in operating care facilities. Senior living managers use their management skills to plan schedules and supervise operations so that older adults can get in-house vision care.
These in-house vision care services vary depending on each living facility. A study by the University of Bradford researchers found that most facilities regularly check the glasses of residents and conduct annual professional vision tests. While these programs can significantly help, well-trained senior living managers can educate staff on how to accurately check the glasses of residents and assess their other vision needs. Competent senior living managers can also set aside a proper budget and hire ophthalmologists for the residents’ comprehensive eye exams. Through these measures, professionals can assess the visual acuity, depth perception, eye alignment, and eye movement of senior citizens before it’s too late.
Senior living managers do not just ensure that residents get the medical help they require. These professionals also support senior citizens once they get diagnosed with an eye condition. Our article ‘How to Help a Loved One with Glaucoma Adjust to Their New Normal’ highlights that chronic conditions can be devastating life changes for many. Staff in senior living facilities help the residents adjust to their condition by improving their rooms to reduce their sensitivity to light, or simply listening to their thoughts about glaucoma. By going the extra mile, senior living managers can enhance the quality of life of older adults with eye conditions.
Senior living managers recognize that vision impairment doesn’t have to be the norm among older adults. Through these professionals, senior living communities can carry out their mission in improving the health of senior citizens.
Article written by Rose Joanne