Older Adults With Vision Impairment: Living Their Best Life

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to synthesize evidence from a review of literature and interviews with vision loss experts to offer recommendations for older adults living with vision impairment, their family members, community members, and health care providers to foster functional independence and quality of life. Background The term “vision impairment” (VI) describes difficulty in accomplishing activities of daily living (ADLS), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) or other functions due to an inability to see well. 9% of adults age 65 and older experience VI with the highest prevalence among those over age 80 (25%). VI is associated with depression, social isolation, low quality of life, loss of independence, and cognitive decline. Individuals may not be aware of strategies to diminish the impact of VI. Method We performed a search for peer-reviewed articles published between 1980–2022 using the CINAHL, Medline, and PubMed databases. Search terms included: older adult, vision impairment, blind, activities of daily living, independence, quality of life, magnification, lighting, and older adults. Eleven relevant articles were selected. We also spoke with several experts, including a certified occupational therapist’s assistant who specializes in geriatrics, a licensed clinical social worker specializing in older adults with vision impairment, and a blindness rehabilitation sensory impairment specialist. Recommendations Recommendations fall into two categories: lived environment modifications and interpersonal interactions. Environment modifications include lighting, magnification, contrast, and nonvisual skills to augment remaining vision. Interpersonal interactions, such as following certain guidelines when entering or exiting a room and respecting personal boundaries, can increase autonomy and independence. Older adults receive regular eye exams to be assessed for refractive error and eye disease. When simple changes are made and maintained by older adults with VI and those who interact with them, increased independence and quality of life can be achieved.