Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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How to help my neighbour? (self.Blind)
submitted by nondescriptjess
I don't really know where to post this, so if anyone can point me in the right direction I would appreciate it a lot.
I have elderly neighbours, the husband is blind and the wife has been admitted to hospital on Thursday with scary high blood pressure. He is going to be home alone for the next few days and I want to help.
I want to take him a few cooked meals, and do any little household chores that need doing.
I have no idea what any of the pitfalls of being blind are. What kind of containers should I use for food and snacks? Is there any that are better/worse than others? Are there any things he would need that I'm not thinking of?
Any suggestions would be honestly appreciated. They don't have any kids or family near by, and I can't take the thought of him being alone and stuck without help.
I have elderly neighbours, the husband is blind and the wife has been admitted to hospital on Thursday with scary high blood pressure. He is going to be home alone for the next few days and I want to help.
I want to take him a few cooked meals, and do any little household chores that need doing.
I have no idea what any of the pitfalls of being blind are. What kind of containers should I use for food and snacks? Is there any that are better/worse than others? Are there any things he would need that I'm not thinking of?
Any suggestions would be honestly appreciated. They don't have any kids or family near by, and I can't take the thought of him being alone and stuck without help.
B-dub31 21 points 1y ago
It is awesome you want to help your neighbors in a time of need, as I'm sure it will make his wife feel better about being away from home too. My suggestion would be just talk to him and ask him what he needs and likes. I would wager that if he's not newly blind or has other health issues that affect him physically, he will be fairly independent. You might ask if he needs any errands ran or something picked up from the store or pharmacy. For me, that would be a bigger need if my wife was ill than even help with daily tasks.
nondescriptjess [OP] 5 points 1y ago
Thank you for answering :)
GTbuddha 7 points 1y ago
See if he needs any help with his med or checking if hers need refills.
Offer to help him check the fridge for things that will spoil.
Does he need help with rides to the hospital to visit his wife? Help ordering some flowers for her?
Offer to help him check the fridge for things that will spoil.
Does he need help with rides to the hospital to visit his wife? Help ordering some flowers for her?
GTbuddha 7 points 1y ago
Help him with sorting the mail and checking for packages on his front step.
[deleted] 7 points 1y ago
[deleted]
retrolental_morose 7 points 1y ago
Just be neighbourly: check-in, ensure he knows how to get to you if he needs you (phone, exactly how to get to your door from his if he may need that, etc). I wouldn't imagine specific food container types to be a big concern. As u/B-dub31 said, ask if you can pick anything up for him. All you can really do is be available.
nondescriptjess [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Thank you
Aussieinapastlife 3 points 1y ago
It's lovely that you want to help. He would be the best person to tell you what his needs are. If he's mostly independent and doesn't need help though, please respect this and don't get offended by it.
We greatly value our independence and though we love helpful people, remember that there is such a thing as overhelping.
If he's indicated that he doesn't need help with a specific thing, give him some space. If he needs help, he will tell you what specific things he needs help with. It's a delicate balance between helping and respecting someone's independence which we've worked very hard to acheive every day.
We greatly value our independence and though we love helpful people, remember that there is such a thing as overhelping.
If he's indicated that he doesn't need help with a specific thing, give him some space. If he needs help, he will tell you what specific things he needs help with. It's a delicate balance between helping and respecting someone's independence which we've worked very hard to acheive every day.
PungentMushrooms 1 points 1y ago
There's probably a pretty good chance that he doesn't need any help at all but it can't hurt to chekc up on him and see if he needs anything
athennna 1 points 1y ago
I would try to put the food in different containers if possible, so he doesn’t have to guess which one is which.
heitorrsa 1 points 1y ago
Hey, pretty awesome that you want to help. My wife is blind, and sometimes I get numb on how much I end up helping here and there. It just doesn't feel like nothing, as I just love her so much on the exact way she is.
Just knock on his door, and ask him. Mention that you are opened to cook meals, do the dishes and other little chores, and if needed you can go grabe something on the store/pharm/market.
You absolutely have no idea how much it will impact positively their life. Keep up the good work, OP.
Just knock on his door, and ask him. Mention that you are opened to cook meals, do the dishes and other little chores, and if needed you can go grabe something on the store/pharm/market.
You absolutely have no idea how much it will impact positively their life. Keep up the good work, OP.
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