Vision loss is something that most people face at some point, but that doesn't mean your elderly family member is ready for that reality. You may start to realize that your senior's emotional health is suffering because of her vision loss.
This Is Honestly a Loss
For some aging adults, this is a massive loss. For others, the loss may be smaller, but it's still definitely a loss. Because everyone deals with loss differently, you may not recognize your senior's reactions as grief at first. Talk to your elderly family member about what might help her or what adaptations might make life easier.
Your Senior Can Feel Devalued
Humans apply a lot of value to what they can do. In fact, so much value gets placed that it becomes part of someone's identity. When a person can't do what they used to do, in this case see as well as they used to, they feel as if some of their value as a person is diminished. That isn't accurate at all, but if your senior's self-worth is negatively impacted by everything that she fears she can no longer see or do, that can create huge emotional issues for her to battle.
She May Isolate Herself
Because your senior is grieving and because she may feel devalued, your elderly family member may find that she doesn't want to be around other people. This is called isolation and it can cause other problems if left unchecked. Isolation leads very rapidly into depression, which is very difficult to combat if you don't realize your senior needs help.
Support Matters a Lot
Believe it or not, having you genuinely listen can be the most helpful solution of all. Your senior likely feels lost and alone, but having someone truly listen is empowering. Practical daily support helps, too. Your senior might not be able to see as well as she did in the past, but having someone who can color coordinate her outfits for her or walk her through small changes in the house makes that bearable. If you aren't able to help in person as much as you'd like, hiring senior care providers is something else to consider.
Understanding what might be behind some of your senior's reactions can be incredibly helpful when you're trying to help your elderly family member deal with vision loss. The situation may not be one that you can solve for her, but you can let her know that you understand her feelings.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Jupiter Island, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.
This Is Honestly a Loss
For some aging adults, this is a massive loss. For others, the loss may be smaller, but it's still definitely a loss. Because everyone deals with loss differently, you may not recognize your senior's reactions as grief at first. Talk to your elderly family member about what might help her or what adaptations might make life easier.
Your Senior Can Feel Devalued
Humans apply a lot of value to what they can do. In fact, so much value gets placed that it becomes part of someone's identity. When a person can't do what they used to do, in this case see as well as they used to, they feel as if some of their value as a person is diminished. That isn't accurate at all, but if your senior's self-worth is negatively impacted by everything that she fears she can no longer see or do, that can create huge emotional issues for her to battle.
She May Isolate Herself
Because your senior is grieving and because she may feel devalued, your elderly family member may find that she doesn't want to be around other people. This is called isolation and it can cause other problems if left unchecked. Isolation leads very rapidly into depression, which is very difficult to combat if you don't realize your senior needs help.
Support Matters a Lot
Believe it or not, having you genuinely listen can be the most helpful solution of all. Your senior likely feels lost and alone, but having someone truly listen is empowering. Practical daily support helps, too. Your senior might not be able to see as well as she did in the past, but having someone who can color coordinate her outfits for her or walk her through small changes in the house makes that bearable. If you aren't able to help in person as much as you'd like, hiring senior care providers is something else to consider.
Understanding what might be behind some of your senior's reactions can be incredibly helpful when you're trying to help your elderly family member deal with vision loss. The situation may not be one that you can solve for her, but you can let her know that you understand her feelings.
If you or an aging loved one are considering senior care in Jupiter Island, FL, contact the caring staff at BrightStar Care of Jupiter. Call today (561) 741-1200.