Helping by Phone or Email - Minnesota



For Families with Seniors Who are Losing VisionHow to Help During the Covid-19/Coronavirus OutbreakDuring these times, we know that many families have limited contact with senior family members or friends who are adjusting to vision los and coping with the added complications presented by restrictions related to stemming the spread of the Covid-19 virus.We want you to know that our senior services staff is doing everything possible to help out. We’re answering questions by phone and email, we’re keeping in touch with our community partners, and we are connecting with seniors through whatever means is safe and effective.We know, however, that we may not be able to provide the kind of support that in-person contact makes possible.Some seniors are living in quarantined conditions, making visits by friends and family members impossible. We have a few suggestions on how you can still help the senior in your life who is living with vision loss. In general, focusing on organization, contrast, glare-reduction, tactile markings, and better lighting will make a big difference. Thinking about how your friend or family member can make simple changes in these areas will increase their safety and comfort.Helping by Phone or EmailHere are some simple, practical suggestions you can offer for modifications they can make on their own.Remind them to put things back in the same place. This will save a lot of time and energy!Help brainstorm ways they can organize their living space so that it will be easier to find things. Using baskets, boxes, bins, or similar items to separate items can help keep things organized.Distinguish between similar looking items by marking one. If two medication bottles look similar, ask them to put a rubber band around one. If it’s hard to tell the shampoo from the conditioner, put a rubber band around the shampoo bottle.Other ways to create distinctive markers include making a little tag with tape, peeling back a small corner of the label, or using a dab of fingernail polish to mark an item.Use contrast. You can suggest, for instance, that they find a light colored coffee mug so that pouring coffee will be easier. They may want to find a tray, and prepare food items on the tray, so that everything is in the same place, and spills are easier to clean up.They can mark hard-to-see edges, like the edges of counter tops or door frames with duct tape or any tape with color.We use sticky adhesive dots to mark appliance panels. Instead of dots, seniors can use a small piece of colored tape to serve the same function.Markers can be added to thermostats, microwaves, stove and oven panels, washers and dryers, and more.They can keep a light on at night, or put a flashlight by their bed.Help them think of other ways they can use contrast, tactile markers, or lighting to make life easier.Helping through Video ChatIf you can connect with your senior through a video chat program like Skype, Facetime, Zoom, or the like, suggest going on a tour through their living space. Look for ways you can help them add contrast and markers. Working with you, for instance, it might be easier to apply markers, as mentioned above, to appliances and other household items that they have a hard time seeing.You may be able to help them organize their cupboards, so that cans are arranged in a logical, easy-to-remember order.You may be able to help them sort mail, putting important items together in one pile, and putting each pile in its own basket, bin, or box.You may be able to help them organize their medications in a way that will make it easy to identify each day.You may notice areas that need better lighting, and you may be able to help them adjust lamps so that spaces are better lit.Using smart speakers and other Virtual AssistantsIf your senior has a smart speaker, like any of the Google Home products, or Amazon Echo, suggest ways that these can be useful.They can be used to set important reminders, like a reminder to take medication.They can be used to play games, like Jeopardy, 20 questions, or trivia.They can be used to get news and read headlines.They can be used to make phone calls.Amazon products with Alexa can also be used to listen to our 24-7 news and reading service, Radio Talking Book. See the information on this service further below.Accessibility on a Smartphone or TabletIf your senior has a Android or Apple phone, there are many apps and features that can be helpful for users with low vision. The same applies for Apple and Android tablets.Using the flashlight to see better in dark cupboards or closets, to put direct light on text, or to use when getting up in the night is a simple an easy solution. The flashlight can be turned on through a voice command. “Hey Siri, turn on the flashlight,” for instance.Android and Apple phones both have a magnifier, but it needs to be turned on through accessibility settings, and this might be more difficult for some to accomplish.There are a host of apps that can make life easier and simplify everyday tasks for people with low vision. You’ll find links to lists of recommended apps in the resource section below.At least two apps allow users to connect with a real person through a video call. The representative can provide sighted assistance for a myriad of tasks, from finding something that fell on the floor, reading cooking instructions on package labels, or reading a digital display screen. Be My Eyes is a free app, and AIRA allows users to make free video calls for up to five minutes, with paid subscriptions available.ResourcesVision Aware, from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) has many helpful resources, including tips for daily living that may be helpful at this time. has many instructional videos and practical guides and other resources. is an online resource with recommendations on accessible apps, tutorials and more for Apple products, including iPhones and iPads. Android has similar resources for phones using Android. Macular Society provides a list of useful apps does Everyday Sight UsWe’re here to serve all Minnesota seniors with vision loss, and we know this is particularly important at this time. If you have questions, or if you know of a senior who is experiencing vision loss, please email Ed Lecher, the supervisor of our senior services team, at Edward.lecher@state.mn.us ................
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