Independent Living

 for Seniors with Vision Loss

Remaining independent is certainly possible for seniors with vision loss. The sites in this section offer resources and advice on assistive technology, finding new ways to perform familiar tasks and household chores, organizing one’s home for safety and convenience, caring for belongings, and tending to personal appearance.

Below is a list of topics you'll find in this section. Click on a title to jump to a specific topic.

Assistive Technology

The resources on this page are designed to promote independence in older adults who are blind or visually impaired. Inclusion of specific products and manufacturers is not an endorsement by Perkins School for the Blind, but rather an attempt to inform consumers on the range of devices that are available.

Recommended Nonvisual Access Products for Blind Seniors, Braille Monitor, National Federation of the Blind
The access technology staff at the International Braille and Technology Center for the Blind of the NFB Jernigan Institute has now compiled some valuable information about low-tech and high-tech equipment of interest to many seniors.

Low Vision Resource Kit for Seniors, National Federation of the Blind
These aids and appliances are designed to help seniors with low vision to stay independent.

Products for Living with Vision Loss, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
This page lists several guides that can help locate the best products to help older adults adjust to vision loss.

Classes & Programs for Independent Living

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind, Helen Keller National Center
A state-by-state directory of publicly and privately funded resources and consultants.

Independent Living
A directory of Independent Living Centers, community-based organizations providing services and advocacy by and for people with all kinds of disabilities; includes international listings.

Classes and Programs for Independent Living--Massachusetts and New England

Adaptive Technology Consulting Resource Portal
A collection of New England technology resources for people adjusting to low vision or loss of sight.

800 Age Info: Resources for Massachusetts Elders
Approximately 40,000 services and programs in Massachusetts for elders, including those with vision loss; aimed at consumers, caregivers, and professionals.

Senior Connection: Information for Seniors and Caregivers
While the directory portion of this website is specific to Central Massachusetts, this website has a wealth of useful information for seniors and caregivers about coping with vision loss. Includes general information on aging, population demographics, and more.

Classes and Programs for Independent Living: Organizations & Resources to Explore

Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU)
ILRU is a national center for information, training, research, and technical assistance in independent living, and offers extensive full-text online publications.

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind, U.S. Department of Education
This site advises on the use of federal funds to provide independent living services to older individuals who are blind.

National Council on Independent Living
NCIL advances independent living and the rights of people with disabilities through consumer-driven advocacy; the site includes information on current legislation.

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Cooking & Kitchen Safety

Cooking & Meals: Master Your Kitchen, American Foundation for the Blind – Senior Site
Practical suggestions on a range of topics, including grocery shopping, setting the table, safety, serving food, and eating out; includes a video on kitchen activities.

Cooking and Other Kitchen Safety Tips for the Visually Impaired
Drawing from her own experience in adjusting to vision loss, Angela Kimball shares advice for working in the kitchen.

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Environmental Modifications

A Checklist for Environmental Safety, American Foundation for the Blind
A checklist of safety tips for lighting, furniture, elimination of hazards, use of color contrast, and safety in hallways and stairways.

Adapting Your Home, American Foundation for the Blind
Making the home environment safe and well organized; focuses on lighting, glare, contrast, organization, and eliminating hazards; available in English and Spanish.

Changing Your Home, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
Modifications to improve lighting, contrast, and organization; includes a video.

Creating an Accessible Environment for Older Individuals Who Are Visually Impaired, American Foundation for the Blind
Lighting, color contrast, and glare reduction in effective environmental design.

Environmental Evaluation Questionnaire, VisionAWARE
This questionnaire is a tool for evaluating safety and lighting in the home.

Home Modifications, VisionAWARE
Improving safety and comfort for people with blindness or visual impairment.

Making the Best of your Vision and Other Senses, Vision Australia
Outlines some principles that make tasks a bit easier.

Home Survey Tours and Checklists, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
A survey for identifying safety issues with many ideas for solutions and adaptations.

The Importance of Contrast, Low Vision Center
Using contrast to maximize vision in the kitchen, bathroom, around the house, and outside.

Home Safety Tips for Low Vision: Live Independently and Avoid Falling
Low vision safety tips to prevents falls and other injuries.

Older Consumers Safety Checklist, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Tips to prevent falls and injury from fire.

Safety in the Home Downloadable Resources, VisionAWARE
Fact sheets with easy-to-follow tips and hints for adjusting to life with vision loss.

Safety in the Home, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
This list of suggestions will eliminate home hazards.

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Financial Matters

Handling and Identifying Your Money, The Center for the Partially Sighted
These strategies assist people with visual impairments in identifying bills and coins.

Keeping Track of Money, American Foundation for the Blind
Simple techniques for distinguishing U.S. coins and bills from one another; available in English and Spanish.

Taking Care of Business: Managing Your Finances, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
Basic skills for maintaining financial health: identifying money, managing a bank account, and paying bills; includes online video.

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Grooming & Personal Care

Clothing, American Foundation for the Blind – Senior Site
Many tips for labeling clothing and other personal items.

Look Sharp: Grooming Tips, American Foundation for the Blind – Senior Site
Tooth-brushing, shaving, make-up application, nail and hair care; includes videos on shaving and make-up.

Polishing Your Shoes: Grooming Tips, American Foundation for the Blind – Senior SiteStep-by-step instructions for a bright shoeshine.

Self Medicating, Washington State School for the Blind
A step-by-step explanation of his razor-shaving techniques by a man who is blind. Presentation also available as an MS Word and a PowerPoint document.

Shaving Techniques, Washington State School for the Blind
A step-by-step explanation of his razor-shaving techniques by a man who is blind. Presentation also available as an MS Word and a PowerPoint document.

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Household Tasks & Management

At Home, At Ease, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
Information about doing housework, using the telephone, and telling time.

Fred's Head from APH, American Printing House for the Blind.
This “better living blog” has tips, techniques, tutorials, in-depth articles, and resources for and by blind or visually impaired people.

Home Management Activities and Adaptations for People Who are Blind or Have Low Vision, VisionAWARE
Helpful hints and for performing home management and daily living tasks safely and independently; links to adaptive equipment.

Home Repairs, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
Simple home repairs, with advice about tools and safety, changing light bulbs, and replacing batteries and fuses.

Independent Living at Home with Vision Loss, VisionAWARE
Tips for all aspects of daily life, including dealing with household tasks, personal self-care, financial management, and home modifications.

Living Better: A Guide for People with Vision Loss, Lighthouse International
Safety, independence, and accessibility in the home; includes videos and online lessons to demonstrate techniques, adaptive products, and food preparation safety.

Low Vision Tips, Macular Degeneration Foundation
Tips for home lighting (creating contrast, reducing glare, etc.), and kitchen, bathroom, and leisure activities.

Maintaining Quality of Life With Low Vision, American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.
Occupational therapists explain what they can do to help elders with vision loss perform typical daily activities independently. Also see http://www.aota.org/Consumers/consumers/Adults/LowVision/35190.aspx

New Approaches to Consider: Suggestions for Individuals with Recent Vision Loss, National Federation of the Blind
Common concerns about activities daily life, including reading, mobility, recreation, and household management; available in pdf or MS Word format.

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Lighting

The Importance of Lighting for the Aging Eye, Lighthouse International
Lighting consultant Linda Sanford addresses the importance of increasing light, reducing glare, enhancing contrast, and augmenting color discrimination.

Lighting - An Important Part of Vision Rehabilitation, The Center for the Partially Sighted
A discussion of types of lighting and glare; selecting the most effective lighting.

Lighting and How to Maximize Your Vision: Strategies for Life, Living Well With Vision Loss
Factors to consider when selecting lighting products; avoiding glare.

Lighting for Older Adults, Lighting Research Center
Lighting principles that increase effectiveness for older adults.

Lighting Tips, Lighthouse International
Low-vision lighting suggestions that are particularly helpful to those with glaucoma and cataracts.

Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence, Lighting Research Center
This 28-page booklet answers common questions about vision and lighting for older adults, and offers practical solutions for the home. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader

Use of Lighting, Vision Australia
A fact sheet on the best ways to use both general and task lighting.

Safety & Personal Security

Staying Safe in Your Community, American Foundation for the Blind—Senior Site
AFB’s advice helps seniors travel and enjoy community resources safely and confidently.

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