8 Activities for Vision-Impaired Older Adults & Elderly
Vision loss can be as low-level as blurriness and as severe as blindness. There are no generally accepted definitions for “low vision,” “vision loss” or “visually impaired.” However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that about 12 million people over age 40 are visually impaired, including 3 million with corrected and 8 million with uncorrected impairment.
Older Americans are likely to have more vision loss because of factors such as:
- Cataracts, which causes blurred vision
- Diabetic retinopathy, which causes spotty vision
- Glaucoma, which leads to peripheral vision loss
- Macular degeneration, which leads to central vision loss
But vision loss shouldn’t mean the end of the activity for seniors. Indeed, there are a number of ways low-vision seniors can stay active and healthy, and ways for caregivers to support them. Here’s a list of 8 low-vision activities for seniors.
8 Activities for Vision-Impaired Seniors
1. Arts and crafts. Knitting or other needlework is typical of seniors, but there are other options. Sculpt with modeling clay or sculpting sand, make collages with old magazines, or paint in bright, bold colors.
2. Audiobooks and podcasts. Audiobooks allow you to listen to almost any book. You can borrow them from the local library, buy them from a retailer, use the free National Library Service home delivery, or find them online for free at sites like LibriVox or Open Culture. Podcasts about news or other favorite subjects are available too, from Spotify, National Public Radio, and others.
3. Fitness. To boost mood, circulation, and overall health, try chair yoga or other low-impact, safe exercises.
4. Games. Card games offer a great variety, and you can still play dominoes provided the set has large dots. Other board games can still work for you.
5. Household activity. Tidying up seems more a chore than an activity, but you can enjoy the feel of folding clothes, sorting silverware, or winding yarn into balls.
6. Music. Play your favorite songs or albums, or find a radio station that plays your favorites. Explore online music services, such as Spotify or Pandora, which feature specialized music stations.
7. Nature. Take a walk outside for fresh air and sunshine. As you are able, try gardening in a windowsill or a small garden
8. Pets. Petting furry animals and playing with them isn’t just fun, it can be a soothing activity.
Tempe News: World of Illumination
When: November 17, 2021 - January 2, 2022
Where: TEMPE DIABLO STADIUM
What: Drive through millions of lights at the holiday event of the year! World of Illumination is returning to Tempe Diablo Stadium. Grab your sled and join World of Illumination on a trek down Reindeer Road.