Experiencing vision loss can be difficult to deal with as several changes may need to be implemented to help support your day-to-day tasks. The main problem that you will encounter is related to safety. Your home which used to be your safe haven may not feel as safe like before. Normal things around the house may now pose as a hazardous risk that may get in the way when you are navigating around the house. To maintain your control and independence, here are some home safety tips for vision loss that can simultaneously boost your confidence.
Eliminate Slipping and Tripping Hazards
Slipping and tripping are probably the two biggest risks for individuals who experience vision loss. These accidents can be prevented by removing small non-essential items of furnishings like floor plants, side tables, and book racks. Extension cables also need to be secure to the wall and electrical cables can be tied together using zip ties, cable tidy, or tape. For houses with stairs, install non-slip stair treads or make use of colored non-slip tape to better accentuate the tips of the stair treads.
Highlight Electric Sockets
Many homeowners prefer to use electric sockets that match the color of their walls. However, they may not be as easy to see especially with vision loss. You can consider changing the sockets to a color that best contrasts against the wall color. You may also choose a more cost-effective measure which is to use colored insulating tape to be pasted around the socket edges.
Improving the Lighting
Lighting has a great impact on your home’s ambiance. By improving the level of lighting in your home, you can optimize the rest of your available sight. Poor lighting and shadowy corners can increase the risks of accidental knocks while also reducing your ability to navigate around the house in a safe manner. Full-spectrum or incandescent spot lamps can support everyday tasks such as writing, reading, or computer work. Halogen lights are not recommended if you are experiencing vision loss. Check areas that have glare when you are making lighting improvements so as to prevent feeling uncomfortable and in turn interfering with your day-to-day tasks.
Enhancing Color Contrast
Enhanced contrast is using light colors against dark color backgrounds and the other way around. This will help make seeing and finding things around the house much easier. If you have light-colored kitchen cabinets, you can make use of dark-toned utensils and pots so they are easier to find. For the dining table, create color contrast between the plates and placemats so you can easily identify them.
Improving Kitchen Safety
Many people experiencing vision loss may face difficulty when judging how much hot water needs to be poured from a kettle. To prevent being scalded or spilling any water, it is much safer to just fill up a cup with cold water before heating it up in the microwave to make tea or coffee. Always close cupboards and drawers after you are done to avoid bumping into them while navigating the kitchen.
