Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Activities for elderly visually impaired (self.Blind)
submitted by drizzy9109
Hello all; I care for my disabled grandmother at home with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which is an uncommon brain disorder that affects her control of walking and balance, speech, swallowing, vision, mood and behavior. The disease results from damage to nerve cells in the brain.
She has double cataracts, and wear bifocals. Well, last month she developed an infection and ended up suffering an acute stroke and is essentially completely blind in both eyes. We are waiting on a Neuroopthamalagist evaluation but her therapists have determined (and it’s clearly evident) that she can see basically nothing.
I was wondering what things we could do while she is home resting in bed. She is bed-bound, so we have been listening to music and talking in between resting. I was also wondering what the balance is between her trying to relearn and remember like where her plate and cup is positioned and work on her own without feeling like I am watching her struggle. And I also want to be respectful to her still and everything.
I just love her so much and I can imagine she is scared right now among everything else so I would be beholden of any thoughts anyone who might see this would want to share.
She has double cataracts, and wear bifocals. Well, last month she developed an infection and ended up suffering an acute stroke and is essentially completely blind in both eyes. We are waiting on a Neuroopthamalagist evaluation but her therapists have determined (and it’s clearly evident) that she can see basically nothing.
I was wondering what things we could do while she is home resting in bed. She is bed-bound, so we have been listening to music and talking in between resting. I was also wondering what the balance is between her trying to relearn and remember like where her plate and cup is positioned and work on her own without feeling like I am watching her struggle. And I also want to be respectful to her still and everything.
I just love her so much and I can imagine she is scared right now among everything else so I would be beholden of any thoughts anyone who might see this would want to share.
kkolb7 2 points 2y ago
Contact your local Association for the Blind. In the United States every county or region has one. Ask for a talking book reader and access to BARD. There are lots of free books available to her, magazines, too.
Also, consider an Alexa beside her bed. It can play any radio station and tons of podcasts. Easy to use.
Also, consider an Alexa beside her bed. It can play any radio station and tons of podcasts. Easy to use.
drizzy9109 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
We use Alexa so that’ll is great. She has trouble activating anything herself but we can set it up for her. She is never alone so that shouldn’t be an issue.
niamhweking 2 points 2y ago
You're sweet and thoughtful. How is her manual dexterity, she may not be as good as she was but would crochet, knitting, or even finger knitting, French doll knitting keep you both busy.
Audio books, podcasts
Could you read out crossword clues
It's handy to describe things like a clock face, so your coat is to the left, at 9 o'clock. For meals, meat is at 3o'clock, fork is at 9o'clock etc
Audio books, podcasts
Could you read out crossword clues
It's handy to describe things like a clock face, so your coat is to the left, at 9 o'clock. For meals, meat is at 3o'clock, fork is at 9o'clock etc
drizzy9109 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thank you these are good ideas, I had thought of the audio books but the other things are neat ideas. Her dexterity comes and goes I guess due to her PSP, and we haven’t seen the neuroopthamalagist yet to understand exactly what has happened or will happen.
She did try the clock face thing with occupational therapy and it seemed to frustrate her (lol she can be particular sometimes), but also she does have trouble with her cognition from time to time with her other disease
Thank you so much
She did try the clock face thing with occupational therapy and it seemed to frustrate her (lol she can be particular sometimes), but also she does have trouble with her cognition from time to time with her other disease
Thank you so much
tree_trunks96 1 points 2y ago
The radio would be good to listen to on your Alexa too, I don't know whether you guys would get RNIB Connect Radio in the states?
If she has a memory difficulties, she'd probably enjoy listening to music she used to enjoy when she was younger or something relaxing.
Games like dominos and playing cards can come in large print or tactile (or can be made if you're crafty, or have access to a tactile marker).
In regards to her food/cup, it is helpful to tell the person where food is situated on the plate (such as in reference to a clock face) and explaining where the cutlery and cup is etc. Depending on memory, this may have to be re-addressed many times, but routine should prove positive ❤️ Good lighting is also helpful if she has any residual vision, I know lots of people angle a task lamp onto their plate.
Something that might be useful is safe & effective searching techniques. For example, if you are struggling to find something on a table in front of you; starting from your left, taking your fingernails from the corner of the table close to you and slowly brush forward. Return back, move a little to the right and try again; repeat until you have found the item. This is much safer than random searching, particularly to avoid sharp or fragile objects.
All the best to you and your grandmother ❤️
Hope this helps
If she has a memory difficulties, she'd probably enjoy listening to music she used to enjoy when she was younger or something relaxing.
Games like dominos and playing cards can come in large print or tactile (or can be made if you're crafty, or have access to a tactile marker).
In regards to her food/cup, it is helpful to tell the person where food is situated on the plate (such as in reference to a clock face) and explaining where the cutlery and cup is etc. Depending on memory, this may have to be re-addressed many times, but routine should prove positive ❤️ Good lighting is also helpful if she has any residual vision, I know lots of people angle a task lamp onto their plate.
Something that might be useful is safe & effective searching techniques. For example, if you are struggling to find something on a table in front of you; starting from your left, taking your fingernails from the corner of the table close to you and slowly brush forward. Return back, move a little to the right and try again; repeat until you have found the item. This is much safer than random searching, particularly to avoid sharp or fragile objects.
All the best to you and your grandmother ❤️
Hope this helps
StrawbearieWheee 1 points 2y ago
I was going to suggest crochet/knitting too, but the other peep already did. I will add however you can get bigger yarn and hooks/needles to work with to make things easier. I've started knitting recently myself and while it was a big frustrating at first, now that I've got the hang of it I have plenty of fun. Its also quiet relaxing now that I've got the patterns learnt. On the plate and drink thing, might help to get some of those tray plates, I use them and they're pretty helpful to me. Some cups with lids might help too, I know I personally am responsible for accidental spills more than I'd like to admit. If you get those big rectangle food trays like schools have, they have a place for sitting drinks, that could help keep everything close together and in a rememberable spot she could get use to.
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