Blind and Visually Impaired Community
↑
4
↓
Newly blind grandpa at 70. Looking for ways to keep his mind active. (self.Blind)
submitted by MagiciansInc
My grandpa, 70, recently went blind due to a stroke. For the past two months he has not done much, he doesn't like to listen to audiobooks or radio programs because he says it is for the past two months he has not done much, he doesn't like to listen to audiobooks or radio programs because he says it is "exhausting". He scared to move around in the world, and always feels like our family members who are leading him are being reckless. overall, I feel like our family doesn't have the right tool kit to help him in his new state.
I know that he is going to have a bit of a learning curve learning to be a new blind man. I also assume that there are some best practices for teaching a newly blind person how to stay active and exist in the world. Can anyone point me to a good resource, or provide some tips for how our family can help my grandpa to adapt?
For example, would learning braille and reading Braille books be less "exhausting" for him to read then listening to an audiobook?
Is the sense of feeling that he is in danger when leaving the house something that will pass and that he can acknowledge and embrace for now?
He was such an active man when he had his sight, he loved to fish, woodwork, cook, camp and hike. Any suggestions for ways he could carry-on these hobbies without sight would be appreciated.
I know that he is going to have a bit of a learning curve learning to be a new blind man. I also assume that there are some best practices for teaching a newly blind person how to stay active and exist in the world. Can anyone point me to a good resource, or provide some tips for how our family can help my grandpa to adapt?
For example, would learning braille and reading Braille books be less "exhausting" for him to read then listening to an audiobook?
Is the sense of feeling that he is in danger when leaving the house something that will pass and that he can acknowledge and embrace for now?
He was such an active man when he had his sight, he loved to fish, woodwork, cook, camp and hike. Any suggestions for ways he could carry-on these hobbies without sight would be appreciated.
Unuhi 1 points 6y ago
Where's he located? It matters a lot for the resources.
On the other post some US resources were already listed like NFB and AFB or ACB.
In Canada there is CNIB, in UK RNIB etc.
It would be good to get him some blind skills training. From moving around independently to learning braille and how to socialize etc.
Imho it can be exhausting to switch to audio books in the beginning but learning to read braille and to do that in a comfortable speed will take quite a bit of time when you do it as an adult. So maybe find nicer audio reads, try different speeds etc.
Also in some places like UK uk and Canada there are some audiodescribed tv channels and movies to enjoy. So if he likes tv he can still enjoy it.
Then new hobbies.
Walking is good but it'd be good to get him someone to walk with- and first comfortable cane skills so he doesn't feel too selfconscious walking around.
Other easy to modify hobbies: gardening, cooking, playing with pets.
Family matters a lot too. Do any of you or his kids live around? Some grandparents find it fun to be involved with their grandhchildren's life. Even if it's just listening to them (it can be fun to read books in person too)
On the other post some US resources were already listed like NFB and AFB or ACB.
In Canada there is CNIB, in UK RNIB etc.
It would be good to get him some blind skills training. From moving around independently to learning braille and how to socialize etc.
Imho it can be exhausting to switch to audio books in the beginning but learning to read braille and to do that in a comfortable speed will take quite a bit of time when you do it as an adult. So maybe find nicer audio reads, try different speeds etc.
Also in some places like UK uk and Canada there are some audiodescribed tv channels and movies to enjoy. So if he likes tv he can still enjoy it.
Then new hobbies.
Walking is good but it'd be good to get him someone to walk with- and first comfortable cane skills so he doesn't feel too selfconscious walking around.
Other easy to modify hobbies: gardening, cooking, playing with pets.
Family matters a lot too. Do any of you or his kids live around? Some grandparents find it fun to be involved with their grandhchildren's life. Even if it's just listening to them (it can be fun to read books in person too)
kamikazeska 1 points 6y ago
Where about's are you located? There are a ton of resources out there and may be some specific to your state. You can visit www.nfb.org (National Federation of the Blind), they provide ample resource listing of agencies around the U.S. that can help. Also try www.afb.org (American Foundation for the Blind) for resources. In no way shape or form is it the end but more so a beginning to adapting to a new way of life, just requires a ton of patience and perseverance which of course can be difficult. I previously worked with the blind and visually impaired community in which I meet carpenters, chefs, heck I got to lead a blind man down the Grand Canyon and back up so the things your grandpa enjoys are not out of the realm of possibility. Check out those websites and hopefully they'll provide an step in the right direction. Now I specialized more in the technology aspect of blind rehabilitation so if he is interested in learning technology, shoot me a PM and I'll see how I can possibly help.
This nonprofit website is run by volunteers.
Please contribute if you can. Thank you!
Our mission is to provide everyone with access to large-
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
scale community websites for the good of humanity.
Without ads, without tracking, without greed.
©2023 HumbleCat Inc • HumbleCat is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Michigan, USA.