Do You See What I See?

The vast majority of my mom's problems are physical, not mental. She does suffer from depression and anxiety, but not dementia in the way that Alzheimer's patients do. One of the things we associate with aging is declining vision. My mother's macular degeneration has advanced to the point where her distance vision is a nebulous thing, and seeing things up close is nearly impossible. Unfortunately, that includes her food. 

We have many eating aids, which I will discuss in another entry, but one very simple thing that helps is increasing contrast. Years ago my husband and I were gifted with Fiesta Ware dishes, four place setting that are white and four that are cobalt blue. My husband has always had an affinity for the white plates, saying that he like being able to see the food more clearly. As my mother's vision got worse, I realized that it was a big help to her if her food contrasted with the dish. So, when she eats something light in color, such as her favorite deviled egg or chicken, I use a dark blue plate. When the food is dark, like meatloaf or carrots, I use a white plate. It is a very simple thing, but it helps her greatly. If you are not lucky enough to have dishes that contrast, the dollar store or a flea market can be a treasure trove. And, the Fiesta factory has an outlet where you can buy individual pieces. 

Glassware can be another problem area. Some glasses and coffee mugs are heavier than a healthy strong person would notice. We have a collection of insulated plastic glasses, some with lids and a straw so that they can travel to the bedroom while she watches tv. Choose a mug or cup that is thinner, therefore lighter, and that has a larger handle rather than a very small loop. Small things, but ones that can make a big difference.