Talking With Your Older Patient: A Clinician's Handbook by National Institute of Aging - HTML preview

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Compensating for Visual Defi cits

Visual disorders become more common as people age. Here are some things you can do to help manage the diffi culties caused by visual defi cits: l Make sure there is adequate lighting, including suffi cient light on your face. Try to minimize glare.

l Check that your patient has brought and is wearing eyeglasses, if needed.

l Make sure that handwritten instructions are clear.

l When using printed materials, make sure the type is large enough and the typeface is easy to read. The following print size works well:

“Th is size is readable.”

l If your patient has trouble reading, consider alternatives such as tape recording instructions, providing large pictures or diagrams, or using aids such as specially confi gured pillboxes.