Low Vision at Home: Simple Changes for Safety & Independence

Most of us don't think much about how vision affects our ability to move through our homes.

We reach for the coffee mug, find the light switch, read the settings on the microwave, step from one flooring surface to another, sort medications, prepare a meal, and walk down the stairs without giving much thought to how much visual information our brains are processing.

When vision begins to change, however, an environment that has been familiar for years can suddenly become more difficult—and sometimes less safe—to navigate.

The good news is that losing vision does not automatically mean losing independence.

As an occupational therapist, one of the things I love about aging-in-place work is discovering how relatively small changes to the environment can make everyday activities easier and safer.