You know coping with vision impairments is a topic of the times when it’s covered in the Real Estate section of the New York Times. Be assured, you are far from alone. The likelihood of experiencing some type of visual impairment becomes more prevalent with age and the numbers affected will double over the coming decade. So it’s a good idea to get your house in order.
If you have begun to make adjustments to accommodate vision loss, you know small changes can make a big difference. Comfort begins at home. No need to do a total renovation or spend a fortune on home improvements. Here are some ways to elevate the accessibility of your home environment today.
COLOR CONTRAST AND TEXTURE
- Use light color plates on dark color placemats
- Use contrast cutting boards and colored ceramic kitchen knives
- Contrast furniture with rugs, pillows, throws
- Contrast colors for doors, moldings, and cabinets
- Contrast and texture on edge of steps
- Place textured dots on appliance settings
USE SMART SPEAKERS
- Set kitchen timers and alarms
- Check the time, weather, news
- Listen to music, audiobooks, podcasts
- Order household items online
- Turn on lights and adjust the thermostat
GO MINIMALIST, LESS IS MORE
- Keep a clear path through rooms
- Remove hazardous rugs and furniture
- Get rid of clutter
- Edit and organize closets, cabinets, and drawers
LIGHTEN UP
- Choose lighting that suits your needs
- Maximize natural light and minimize glare with updated blinds or shades that adjust well
Taking charge and making adjustments to compensate for vision loss is empowering. There’s plenty more about this on OE Patients and we’ve linked it below, along with the NY Times article mentioned at the top.
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Here is the article from the NY Times Real Estate section that inspired our post:
Simple Home Improvements for the Vision Impaired
By Robert Wright, NY Times April 13, 2018