Hints & Tips For Living With Sight Loss

Around the home

  • Colour contrast – try using coloured or dark crockery on a white surface
  • Place cups/mugs onto tray with a lip to catch any spillage
  • Use non-slip mats/cup holders
  • Mugs/cups – choose ones which are lighter inside to be able to see the liquid rising.
  • Use elastic bands/cord/string to distinguish between tins/condiments.
  • Locating objects – Use the back of your hand instead of your palm and move it slowly towards the object to locate it.
  • Plug-in sensor lights in hallway.
  • Try under-cupboard lighting/LED task lighting.
  • Use measuring spoons to put coffee/sugar into cup
  • Nomad for tablets or put tablets in colour contrasted bowl.
  • Use measuring spoons to put margarine/jam into centre of bread and spread out to all 4 corners with a knife.
  • Matching socks – tie them together before putting them in the washing machine or place in machine wash bags.

Personal Care

  • Use elastic bands or hair bobbles to distinguish between shampoo & Conditioner.
  • Good lighting – especially around mirrors
  • Magnifying mirrors
  • Colour co-ordinate and style of clothes – in cupboards and drawers
  • Pair socks – fold together in a ball
  • Use pump toothpaste or place toothpaste directly on to your teeth with your finger rather and then brush.
  • Feel for seams in clothes to ensure they are the right way round.
  • Peg pairs of shoes together.

Getting around

  • Feel for a small button situated on the underside of pedestrian crossings – this activates a tactile cone which rotates and beeps to let you know when it is safe to cross the road.
  • Paint white/orange stripes at the edge of each step – outdoors, e.g. at your front door or in your garden
  • Chevron tape can be added to indoor stairs
  • Remove rugs – to prevent trips/falls
  • Place coloured tape on door frame if contrast between door and wall is the same colour
  • Wrap around sunglasses/peaked cap/visor

Communication

  • Big button telephones
  • Easy to use mobile phones
  • Signature guides to help you see/feel where to sign cheques etc
  • Black felt tip pens/print when writing – easier to see
  • Heavy lined note paper
  • Easy to see Doro mobile phones.

Reading

  • Good task light
  • Sit with back to window
  • Reading stand/clip board
  • Large print books etc
  • Reading following stroke (left sided hemianopia): Use “L” shape cut-out of red card – place short side to the edge of the sentence, use the side to keep on the line. Move the card down and then scan back to the short edge before starting the next line.

Recreation

  • Sit closer to TV
  • Shut blinds/curtains if room too bright
  • Wear wrap-around glasses (need picture)
  • Golf other sports – BASE, Talking Tandems