Physical Aspects of Aging -- Part 3 of 4

Vision

Even though changes to the eye take place as a person ages, many older people have good-to-adequate vision. Nevertheless, beginning in the late 30s and early 40s, an individual may begin to notice some changes. She or he may have to hold the paper farther away to read it due to changes in the ability of the lens to change its shape to accommodate to distance.

With aging, peripheral vision is reduced. A person may need to turn her or his head to see to the sides. The flexibility of the eye decreases and it takes an older person more time to accommodate to changes in light. Adaptations in lifestyle and behaviors must be made to cope with this change. An individual might give up driving at night. Placing more lights evenly around the room so that the entire room is lit is also helpful.
Degeneration of eye muscles and clouding of the lens are associated with aging. Several changes in vision result from this. Older people tend to have trouble focusing on near objects, but eyeglasses may correct this problem. In addition, the ability to see colors changes with age as the lens yellows. Red, yellow, and orange are easier to see than blue and green. This is why fabrics in warmer shades may be more appealing to the older person.

Serious vision impairments such as cataracts, glaucoma, and blindness affect between 7% and 15% of older adults. If someone you know must learn to cope with blindness or near blindness, you can play a critical role in helping them maintain their independence.

To help a person with any visual impairment, or to make your own life brighter:

• Light the room brightly and use more than one non-glare light in a room.
• Use blinds or shades to reduce glare.
• Keep a night light on in the bedroom, hallway, and bathroom to maintain an equal level of light.
• Increase lighting on stairwells and steps.
• Use concentrated light for sewing and reading.
• Turn lighting away from the television to avoid glare.
• Provide printed materials with high contrast between the background and lettering.
• Use contrasting colors in the home, such as colors between the doors and walls, and between the dishes and table coverings.
• Mark the edge of steps with a brightly colored tape or different colored paint, and paint the handrails.
• Provide audiotaped books and music for the elder's cognitive stimulation, entertainment, and relaxation.
• Wear a hat with a wide brim and sunglasses while outside. This will protect the eyes against too much sunlight, which can lead to cataracts.
• Know the warning signals of possible vision problems, including pain in or around the eyes, excessive tearing or discharge, double vision, dimness or distortion of vision, flashes of light, halos or floating spots, swelling of the eyelids or a protruding eye, changes in eye color, and changes in vision or movement of one eye.
• Make sure the older person has regular eye exams, including a glaucoma screening, at least once every 1-2 years.

Unfortunately, people who experience vision problems may avoid activities that require good vision and become isolated. Work with a professional to explore ways to help the older person maintain a normal lifestyle. With today's technologies and medical care, individuals don't have to accept limitations from declining vision as an inevitable part of aging.

Taste and Smell

Some loss in taste sensitivity takes place with aging. However, the loss is minor and does not seem to occur in most people until well after 70. There is also a loss of smell, but this is not severe.

Nevertheless, older people often complain that their meals are tasteless or that they no longer like their favorite foods. Most experts feel that these complaints are caused by a sense of loneliness at meals, or an unwillingness or inability to cook. Also, older persons may not buy more enjoyable foods when they have difficulty chewing due to poor dentures or dental problems, or are stretching their food dollars due to a limited budget.

To help the older person enjoy mealtime:

• Offer familiar, well-liked foods.
• Invite or encourage the elder to share meals with friends and family, in his or her home or at congregate meal sites.
• Experiment with different seasonings and flavorings.
• Prepare a variety of foods each day.
• Make the table colorful and inviting with bright napkins, mats, and flowers.
• Encourage exercise, when possible, which stimulates the appetite. 

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