My widowed mother is 82 and has macular degeneration. She has been slowly losing her sight for years but of late, her vision has become a lot worse, very quickly. I live several states away. My sister lives about a half-hour’s drive away and spends one day a week taking her to the store, doctors’ appointments, etc. Mom wants to stay in her house above all else, so we’d like to keep her there as long as possible.
I am going to change her bills to my address and do on-line bill pay (she doesn’t trust my sister with access to her accounts, for good reason.)
I am primarily looking for tips on technology. If she had a smart phone, she could voice dial. I know there are programs that would read web pages for her, read her money, etc. She is not good at technology - I don’t think she knows the difference between Facebook and email. She needs either an e-reader or a smart phone or tablet that will read books to her. Perhaps a thermostat designed for the visually impaired.
Mom is very wary of “strangers” - she may need some external help, but having someone not a relative in the house will stress her out.
I am going to make an appointment soon for us to visit the state agency that helps elderly blind folks. In the meantime, personal tips on technology would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks. We’ve been trying to get her to “prepare” for some time (e.g. figure out the digital version of books on tape) but I’m pretty sure she hoped she would pass away before she went this blind.
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Way back when, my grandmother received unabridged books on tape from the library for the blind. At that time (late 70’s-early 80’s), they were mailed out, but that may have changed by now and they probably have other delivery methods available.
As an occupational therapist who works with visually impaired geriatrics, I recommend that you not purchase a smart phone or tablet without seeing if she is able to learn how to use it. You say that she has trouble with technology , smart phones are very difficult to learn to use. Contact the American Federation of the Blind to see what they would recommend. Several items I recommend if she doesn’t have them is a Lifeline alert system and a talking pillbox, preferably one that locks and opens on a timer so she doesn’t get her medications mixed up. How does she get her meals? Does someone assist her with her baths , etc. It is not impossible for her to live alone as long as resources are in place. I once had an 85 year old who was almost totally blind that lived alone and had hip replacement surgery requiring her to learn how to use adaptive equipment. She did great, but had good family support.
What is her cooking situation? That’s what really worried us about FIL with MD. He eventually came to live with us but we still tried to help him maintain a sense of independence. We put small raised dots on the most commonly used microwave buttons so he could easily reheat. He loved to have a sandwich for lunch but had a hard time managing individual slices of cold cuts. When we would get home from the grocery store, I would ziplock individual sandwich portions so he could slap his own sandwich together. We had him put away all his own food so he would know where it was located. (We had a small fridge and cupboard in his room). This was sometimes painful to watch as he would take one item at a time and SLOWLY find its place, but we felt this was an important part of allowing him to preserve his dignity and retain self-esteem. Books on tape from the library were great and we had him use an old fashioned tape player with limited buttons. We also got a talking watch and clock and a remote control with big, limited buttons. I don’t remember the online source but if you google low vision aids and independent living you should find some. Even with these aids, the technology issue was not always smooth sailing and at times was a cause of frustration for all of us!
Color contrast can be very helpful with MD. If the kitchen table and counters are light, go for dark plates and cups. FIL found it easier to eat off black plates. The plates had a big lip so he wouldn’t push the food right off if he couldn’t see the edge. Colored or frosted glasses are better than clear. Same thing with the bathroom-towels, toothbrush and toiletries opposite color to where they are kept. You can put a black towel on the counter and keep colored toiletries on that. Unsecured throw rugs are a big no no.
My father had macular degeneration and passed away two years ago. My mother is currently having vision problems. What helped both of them greatly was an iPad. I would urge you to get a tablet of some kind so she can become familiar with it before her sight is lost. My father was able to hold off blindness by having shots in his eye for a year or so. He was blind in the other eye so he wanted to do whatever he could to keep the one eye functioning. He was an avid reader and the large font on the iPad was a real blessing. My MIL is blind and uses her iPhone with audible commands.
My dad recently passed away at the age of 90, but was blind for years before he passed. He was an avid user of the NJ Library for the Blind. They give you the device and automatically mail out books based on your stated preferences. As you return books, they mail out more. We also got him books on tape (CDs), which were a Godsend, because he couldn’t use a computer. Check her public library for their selection and lending periods;your sis could pick/up and drop off as part of her weekly visits.
My dad also had a talking watch, which he loved. Call her phone provider; Verizon provides free 411 service to blind customers, which was also a big help. Does she use a blind person’s cane? Dad fought it for a long time but it made such a difference when he was out of the house on doctor’s visits, etc. Also, she can apply for a handicap placard for the car. Even if she doesn’t drive (obviously), her driver can use it when transporting her. In the kitchen, we placed little felt circles on the microwave touchpad so he knew what to press to get it going. Ditto on the washing machine, so he knew how far to turn the dial. We pre-measured liquid laundry detergent into little bottles rather than having him try to fill the cap.
Regarding bills, it will be really helpful if she can call the various utilities, credit cards, bank accounts, etc. and have them list you as an authorized individual on the account, so you can call on her behalf with any questions. Particularly helpful for her medical plan / medicare, if you need to question / challenge doctor bills and such.
At age 82, keeping her home may be best, because she is comfortable and familiar with the layout. (Maybe tough to learn to navigate a new apartment now). Totally agree with the lifeline alert system. We did have a home aide come in for 2-3 hours/day to handle cooking, shopping, light housework, etc. I know you said she’s not comfortable with strangers, but you may find one that’s compatible. (Is she religious? I often see want ads in our church bulletin for home helpers).
That’s it off the top of my head, but I’ll post more if I think of them. Good luck to you, your sister and her! Please PM me if you have any questions!
She’s okay on food so far. Since Dad passed away, she’s been mostly microwaving…canned soup, frozen stuff. She gets along okay in the house…but of late she can’t read things like the TV remote, phone, thermostat, etc.
Do you have a Lighthouse for the Blind near you? Apparently, it’s now Lighthouse Guild, having merged with the Jewish Guild for the Blind.) They may be of some help. Here’s a link to their store. http://shop.lighthouseguild.org/
My mom and dad were best friends; Mom really didn’t have other friends. He passed away a bit under three years ago. She has never really perked up, she doesn’t have any fight in her, hasn’t acquired any new interests, hasn’t done anything to try make herself happier (clinically depressed?..yes, probably for decades; won’t consider medication.)
One of my visually impaired patients has a landline phone with large numbers in high contrast black and white. It’s much easier for her to use than a smart phone.
Might be too hard if no one has a smart phone but Amazon has “Echo” device which syncs with a smart phone and does internet info by voice. Siri for the home.
Sure your sister or you could figure it out easily. I love it.
So all you have to do is say “Alexa, read my book” and she starts reading whatever book you have going. If you have a bunch of books then tell her which one.’
Play a certain song–it comes on.
Keeps a grocery list for you.
Timer for 2 minutes–alarm for 10pm–all done.
Tells jokes (my personal favorite).“Alexa, tell me a joke.” I do this often!
It’s a bit like having personal assistant/friend around with voice commands.
But “Alexa, wash my clothes…” she says “I added wash my clothes to YOUR to-do list”.
My dad with macula digeneration loves his iPad and especially the sirI fu ction. He is able to blow up text, listen to books and it’s even bright enough to play “words with friends.” He balked at first but he now has it in his hands constantly.