Try: Keep an illuminating magnifying glass near any area where the cr reads or takes medications use a free-standing magnifier if the cr’s hands are not steady use an electronic magnifier to view print or pictures search on the internet to find companies that sell magnifiers

Materials: 3 or 4 illuminating magnifying glasses free-standing magnifier electronic magnifier

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Install fluorescent lighting under the upper cabinets outline the edge of the countertops with colored plumber’s tape or paint in a color that ontrasts with the work surface if the cr has tunnel vision remove cabinet doors or replace with sliding doors mark common or important settings on appliances such as on off 375 degrees with bright nail polish color or raised bump dots purchase large-print cookbooks and a timer with large numbers if reading large-print labels is difficult purchase a microwave with a sensor reheat feature which automatically reheats the food to the appropriate temperature choose the colors of kitchenware to contrast against the background color for example use forest-green dish towels against a white counter white cups for coffee or black mugs for milk white chopping boards for carrots and black chopping boards for onions place rubber bands around the milk carton so it can be distinguished from the juice carton use dinner plates with a raised lip – ideally color banded around the edge – and differently colored than the table on which they are placed use an automatic coffee maker that makes a single cup of coffee to eliminate the need to pour boiling liquids and risk burns to avoid overflows when pouring liquid into a cup use a liquid level indicator that hooks onto the cup’s edge and plays a tune once the liquid reaches 0.5 inches from the top

Materials: Fluorescent lighting colored plumber’s tape bright colored paint sliding cabinet doors bright nail polish color or raised bump dots large-print cookbooks cooking timer with large numbers microwave with a sensor reheat feature rubber bands dinner plates with a raised lip 1 cup automatic coffeemaker liquid level indicator white chopping board black chopping board

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Choose a bright bedspread that contrasts with the floor or sew a colorful ribbon around the edge of an existing spread to help distinguish the edge of the bed from similarly colored flooring or carpeting use a talking alarm clock or one with very large numbers add lights in the closet that automatically turn on when the door is opened arrange clothes according to color install a light switch table lamp or an automatic nightlight by the bedroom door so the cr never walks through a dark room have a lamp that can be turned on off from the bedside hang sheer curtains or blinds on windows to reduce glare attach contrasting molding or colored tape to furniture edges keep a magnifier on the bedside table

Materials: Brightly colored bedspread talking large print alarm clock automatic lights light switch or table lamp bedside lamp sheer curtains or blinds contrasting molding or colored tape magnifier

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website www environmentalgeriatrics com household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Mark the dials with raised orange or clear stick-on dots use additional lighting like a lamp or flashlight use a lighted hand magnifier or a stick on magnifier over these dials learn to listen or feel for the clicks of various settings use an audible meat thermometer or use a thermometer with raised marks to test if meat is done

Materials: Raised orange or clear stick-on dots lamp or flashlight lighted hand magnifier or a stick on magnifier audible meat thermometer or thermometer with raised marks

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from useful home adaptations for the blind and visually impaired from lowvision com

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Use dishes that have a dark side and a light side to provide contrast to the food set plates on a contrasting table cloth or placemat do not use heavily decorated plates as food becomes difficult to identify do not use clear glasses or dishes as they are invisible enhance contrast between the food and the dish or cup use a white cup when pouring coffee place the white cup on a dark placemat rather than on a white or light colored counter or table place a gooseneck lamp over the cr’s plate use pa small flashlight in restaurants increased overhead lighting may cause glare have a system for placing the food on the plate meat at 6 00 o’clock potatoes at 9 00 o’clock and vegetables at 3 00 o’clock use plates that have a rim to avoid spilling food on the table use a pusher such as a piece of bread to place food on spoon or fork eat food inward from the edge of the plate to avoid pushing food on the table

Materials: Dishes that have a dark side and a light side contrasting table cloth or placemat white coffee cup dark placemat gooseneck lamp small flashlight plates that have a rim

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from useful home adaptations for the blind and visually impaired from lowvision com

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Use color to help the cr see important objects or areas paint doorsills white if the flooring is dark or add brightly colored flowers along the walkway to the front door use a variety of textures such as velcro rubber bands and raised dots to help identify edges objects or appliance controls apply them to the on off controls on appliances at the end of a banister or on medicine bottles apply large-print labels using large black typeface on a white background or vice versa

Materials: Paint or brightly colored floor tiles velcro rubber bands and raised dots white adhesive labels bold black marker

Categories: Sage, Topic, Maintenance, Medical Physical, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: A adapted from household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Keep even levels of light both inside and outside the home to make it easier for the cr’s eyes to adapt from one space to another keep foyer well lit so that when the cr comes inside on a bright sunny day his her eyes will have an easier time adjusting to the change in light levels keep outdoor paths and walkways well lit at night light all stairs well particularly the top and bottom steps for interior stairs install a 3-way switch so the cr can turn the light on and off from either direction have a lamp with a flexible neck by a favorite chair for reading or close up work install dimmer switches or use 3-way bulbs for controlling the amount of light in the room use several fixtures to light a room to even light levels and minimize glare for general room lighting select lamps that provide light over a broad area

Materials: 3-way switch lamp with a flexible neck dimmer switches lamps that provide light over a broad area

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website environmentalgeriatrics com household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Get rid of low furniture that is easy to trip over such as coffee tables and footstools move furniture against walls to create a large area of uncluttered space in the center of the room discuss moving any furniture with the cr first the cr may rely on specific location of furniture to find their way around a room choose a fabric for the sofa that contrasts with the floor material or use a bright colored piping along the edges of the seat cushion reduce glare on polished furniture by covering it with a large doily or tablecloth

Materials: n/a

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website www environmentalgeriatrics com household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Repair or replace torn carpet because a foot cane or walker can easily get caught remove area carpets or throw rugs when rugs or carpeting cannot be eliminated place non-skid padding under rugs or secure to floor with double-sided tape use only matte non-shiny finishes on the floor remove doorsills whenever possible or paint them in a contrasting color

Materials: Non-skid rug carpet padding double sided tape matte non-shiny floor finish paint

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, So-So Vision, Poor Vision, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from the internet website www environmentalgeriatrics com household tips for people with low vision by rosemary bakker cornell university

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed

Try: Re-arrange furniture to make walking and finding things easier remove clutter and unnecessary items on the floors make a clear path in each room and from room to room paint doorways another color than the walls to make them stand out remove area rugs to prevent slipping or tripping replace heavy carpet with flat carpet and flooring to make walking easier assess whether it is safe for the cr to still climb stairs if so mark the edges of the steps with contrasting paint or tape program the phone for commonly dialed numbers at the touch of a button consider buying an emergency call device or pendant for the cr if he she lives alone install grab bars near the toilet and in the tub and shower and perhaps by the bed

Materials: Contrasting paint bright colored duck tape flat carpet or flooring emergency call device grab bars for toilet and shower tub

Categories: Maintenance, Medical Physical, Personal, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Vision, So-So Vision, Poor Vision

Information: n/a

References: Adapted from vision blindness – coping tips from elder-one-stop com

Keywords: n/a

*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed