Healthy Vision Month:
Dementia, Vision, and You

July is Healthy Vision Month! Promoted by the National Eye Institute, the aim of Healthy Vision Month is to raise awareness of the importance of eye care and general vision health. As one of the five senses, vision is a key aspect of health to consider while being in a care partnership. While some changes in vision are a normal part of the aging process, people with dementia may develop vision problems that are caused by changes to the physical and chemical structure of the brain. Individuals with dementia may have otherwise healthy eyes, but still develop certain vision and perception issues that affect the way they perceive and “see” the world.
 
Because the brain plays a critical role in processing visual information, any changes to the brain from dementia can have a significant effect on one’s visual abilities. The optic nerve and the retina are portions of brain tissue that specifically deal with vision. As dementia develops and brain cells are damaged, the optic nerve and retina are damaged as well.
 
Here are some common vision and perception challenges that can be caused by or related to dementia:

• An inability to switch their visual focus from one person or place to another
• Inability to make out different colors or shapes
• Difficulties detecting movement
• Misidentification of people or places
• Problems with depth perception

Other diseases that affect vision, such as macular degeneration, may cause confusion or exacerbate an individual’s dementia. Because of this, they may go untreated due to their inability to communicate the changes they are experiencing. Whether they are caused by dementia or other diseases, changes in vision can often be frustrating and confusing for both the individual with dementia as well as their caregivers. These vision changes, while challenging, are not impossible to manage. The following are specific strategies and steps that you can take to help both yourself as a caregiver and your loved one navigate dementia and vision:

• Get regular eye exams to remain aware of diagnoses and spot problems early
• Make sure that your eye doctor is aware of your partner’s diagnosis, and discuss with them how this diagnosis may be affecting their vision.
• Keep environment consistent, and when changes are necessary for safety, change the environment gradually
• Obtain technology and adaptive equipment such as magnifying glasses, audio books, or large print materials.

The Department on Aging has several programs and services available that can help you navigate the caregiving journey and the ways that vision loss are impacting your life such as the Care Partner Collaborative, Options Counseling, and our Caregiver Education Series. Additionally, the Department has an Occupational Therapist on staff that can conduct a home safety assessment and make specific, personalized recommendations.
 
While vision health is only one symptom of dementia, it is nevertheless important to maintain. With proper awareness and some strategic planning, it is possible to better manage the vision-related challenges and difficulties that arise when caring for someone with dementia.

This month's article was written by Clayton Foster, one of two social work practicum students working with OCDoA's Aging Transitions team this summer.  Clayton is a senior with NC State's BSW program.

OCDOA Upcoming Monthly Events are now Available on Podcast for People who are Blind or Print Impaired

Thanks to our friends at the North Carolina Reading Service (NCRS), you can find a podcast of each monthly edition of the Orange County Department of Aging’s OCDOA Upcoming Events e-newsletter by taking the following steps:

• Go to the North Carolina Reading Service website (https://www.ncreadingservice.org/)
• Click on the “Listen" tab
• Next to "How to Listen to NCRS”, click on “Skip to Podcasts Section" 
• Under the “Newsletters" column on the far right side of the page, click on "Orange County Dept. Of  Aging”

About the North Carolina Reading Service (NCRS).

Brief Counseling Services

Our team of social workers are available to work with older adults and caregivers for brief counseling services, free of charge. We can work with you on issues including anxiety, depression, caregiver stress and loneliness.

Contact the Aging Helpline for more information: 919-968-2087.

Dementia Friendly Orange County 

Dementia Friendly Orange County was recently invited to present program updates to a local community group, SHARP (Senior Health Advocacy and Resource Partners of Orange County). Local networking and community ties lend our program roots and resilience to keep spreading awareness around dementia.
 
To date, 110 local organizations and over 1,300 employees have participated in our training.  https://dforangecounty.org/certified-businesses/.
 
Founding sponsors of Dementia Friendly Orange County include the Orange County Department on Aging, the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club, and Acorn of Chapel Hill.

In Need of Incontinence Supplies?

Thanks to generous donations, the Department on Aging has a supply of incontinence supplies including: bed pads, pull up briefs, adult diapers, wipes, and adult booster pads. If you are in need of any of these items, we may be able to provide you with up to one pack per month (depending on availability of the items requested). Contact the Aging Helpline (919-968-2087 or Agingtransitions@Orangecountync.gov) to request supplies.