Recognizing Changes in Body Function

NATCEP Day Seven

Objectives

• Describe changes in vision that may accompany aging

• Describe how the NA might recognize that a resident has impaired vision

• Name diseases that may cause visual impairment• Describe ways to change the environment to

encourage the visually impaired resident’s independence and to promote safety

• Describe ways to care for the visually impaired resident

• Describe changes in hearing that may accompany aging

Visual changes that may occur with aging

• Reduced ability to focus vision.• Decreased sharpness of vision.• Loss of peripheral vision.• Reduced ability to acclimate to darkness.• Increased sensitivity to glare.• Possible impairment of color vision from

cataracts.

Diseases that may cause Visual Loss

• Cataracts – Clouding of the lens of the eyes

• Glaucoma– Damage to the optic nerve– Caused by ncreased internal pressure in eye

• Blood vessel damage – Diabetes– High Blood Pressure

• Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)– Commonly known as Stroke– May remove part of visual field

Diseases that may cause Visual Loss

• Macular Degeneration– Leading cause of severe vision loss in people over

age 60– Occurs when small central portion of the retina

(macula) deteriorates. – Retina is the light-sensing nerve tissue at the back

of the eye.

Environmental accommodations

• Place objects where the resident can see them; keep the same location.

• Keep surroundings uncluttered.• Provide good lighting & adjust blinds to

prevent glare.• Use large print on signs, black on white.

Eye Glass care

• Wearing correct eye glasses.• Clean and fit properly.• Store properly when not in use.

Hearing Changes

• Reduced ability to hear high-pitched sounds.• Reduced acuity.

Clues to hearing loss

• Speaks louder than necessary or increases volume of TV/radio.

• Asks for words to be repeated.• Does not react to a sound out of the visual

field.

Communication

• Speak clearly, slowly, facing the resident.• Turn off background noise.

Hearing Aid/Cochlear Implant care

• Replace batteries as needed.• Clean according to manufacturer’s

instructions.• Store according to manufacturer’s

instructions – EXPENSIVE!