Activities of Daily Living

We help patients with low vision or blindness manage their daily activities. While most healthcare providers know about ADLs, they may not understand how people with low vision or blindness complete these tasks. This article explains common ADLs for individuals with low vision or blindness and offers techniques for managing them.

To complete ADLs, people with low vision or blindness use many strategies. These strategies depend on their level of vision, independent living skills, and personal preferences. People with low vision or blindness may use both visual and non-visual methods to complete tasks. These methods can change based on their environment and how their vision changes.

Organization and Labeling

People with low vision or blindness may benefit from a system of organization and labeling. This is important for both personal and professional settings, because it helps them find items quickly and safely.

There are many ways to label items. Large print labels with high-contrast colors often prove very helpful. Electronic labels and QR codes let people use their mobile devices to get information. People with low vision or blindness can also use a small device to read audio labels placed on various items. Braille labels offer another option, if they’re more suitable for the person.

These methods make daily tasks easier and safer for people with low vision or blindness.

Medication Management

If you have low vision or blindness, medication management is important. A system for organizing and labeling your drugs is key.

Here are some tools to help you manage your drugs:

• Talking prescription labels. These labels read aloud your prescription details, medication information, and instructions.
• Large print or braille labels.
• Pills organizers with braille or other options. Magnifiers can be helpful.

These tools can help a person with low vision or blindness manage their drugs safely and effectively.

Personal Management

Personal tasks like

• Hygiene
• Grooming
• Clothing care
• Time-telling
• Identifying money

can be hard to do if you have low vision or blindness.

Adapting or adjusting your routine makes these tasks easier. Here are some things to try:

• Label personal hygiene items with washable or physical labels.
• Organize clothing with tactile or high-contrast labels.
• Use talking, large print, or braille watches and clocks to manage time.
• Use currency readers to identify U.S. money.

The Bureau of Engraving and Printing provides free currency readers to eligible U.S. citizens and national residents.

Reading Tasks

If you have low vision or blindness, reading can be a challenge. Access to printed information can help you regain independence and stay informed. Methods vary based on your:

• Vision.
• Preferences.
• Technology access.
• Environment (lighting and glare).

To meet personal, social, and work needs, you can use different tools. These can include:

• Magnifiers (portable, handheld, and head-worn).

• Video magnifiers (stationary, desktop, and portable). These can change the size, color, and contrast of print materials.
• Handheld or head-worn telescopes for distance viewing.
• Task lighting or adjustable lighting.
• Reading glasses and other specialized lenses. These can include bioptic telescopic lenses.
• Large print or braille reading materials.

These tools can help you read more easily and effectively.

Computer and Technology Use

Assistive technology includes computers or mobile devices that can help you read and do daily activities. Some AT tools are:

• Screen readers. This AT can read text aloud. It can also create text using speech output.
• Screen magnifiers. These tools can make text and pictures bigger.
• Software that changes font colors, background and foreground colors, and pointer size.

These tools help people use computers and mobile devices more effectively. They work with productivity software, the internet, and mobile apps for daily living and work.

Common AT include:

• Screen readers.
• Screen magnifiers for desktop and mobile devices.
• Video magnifiers. This AT can recognize optical characters.
• Devices that scan and read printed materials.
• Refreshable braille for electronic documents.

By using these tools, people with low vision or blindness can access technology more effectively.

Navigation and Travel

Being able to navigate on your own is known as orientation and mobility. Orientation and mobility training is important. It teaches you to use visual and non-visual methods, trusting in your senses.

Key methods include using:

• A white cane, support cane, or dog guide.
• Large print or braille compasses (or electronic compasses on mobile devices).
• Large print or braille maps.
• Bone conduction headphones to hear audio from mobile devices without blocking natural sounds.
• Mobile GPS applications.
• Transit applications for maps and schedules.

Living independently or performing daily activities depends on personal preferences. It also depends on training, vision abilities, skill development, and access to the right equipment and software.

These methods are examples of how people with low vision or blindness achieve independence. Healthcare providers should understand these methods when assisting with activities of daily living and employment.