Assisted Living | Blindness Awareness Month

Blindness Awareness Month is an essential opportunity for assisted living communities to focus on the unique needs of residents with visual impairments. These facilities must create an environment that supports accessibility and fosters inclusivity. Assisted living centers can raise awareness, offer tailored support, and implement adaptive technologies to enhance the quality of life for visually impaired residents. By promoting understanding and accessibility, Blindness Awareness Month can help all residents flourish and remain engaged in their community.

Blindness Awareness Month

This annual occasion focuses on the blind and visually impaired community. This month, more focus is placed on the realities of living without sight. This commemoration started in 2009 when a local organization launched a foundation to serve families with blind or visually impaired children. Among the activities to accomplish within the month are the following.

Advocacy – This is done by gaining support to have more access to resources, research, and laws enabling people with visual impairments to live a fully productive life and contribute to their communities
Education – The public is given a lecture about good eye health, including the latest update on research and innovations in treating eye disorders
Inspiration – The blind and visually impaired also have stories to tell, sharing accomplishments of incredible things that most sighted individuals dare not attempt

How to Cope with Worsening Vision in Assisted Living

You should know that having a visual impairment is a highly emotional experience. The loss of sight can be frightening and may come without anticipation. Moreover, those newly diagnosed patients often find it hard as they struggle with depression and grief. Fortunately, there are healthy coping mechanisms that will work best for people with visual impairment in assisted living.

Reaching out to a professional can allow you to convey your feelings in a safe environment.
Being honest with friends and family instead of withdrawing or hiding details from them.
Connecting with other patients or sharing experiences with others can be a powerful source of strength.
Taking time to meditate and practice mindfulness.
Finding and enrolling in a lifestyle adjustment course.
Using a service animal to help you navigate the surroundings.

It is pretty difficult to be diagnosed with imminent vision loss, but you can prepare for the future using the following tips.

Learn about blindness and what your diagnosis says
Find support from people who care about your condition
You may also talk to your employer about your impending vision loss to arrange a way for you to continue working as a blind professional
You may sign up for national organizations to help you adapt to life with vision loss
Get your home organized so that you can navigate through it a bit easier after you lose your vision

There are also other ways to cope with vision loss and grief in assisted living, such as the following.

While it can be different for others, you only need to be patient with yourself.
Learn more about your vision loss during the grieving process
Avoid isolating yourself by talking to someone you trust
Ask for professional help from counselors because they can help provide solutions to process grief

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