Excellent thoughts, I do agree these start with visual cues. Seeing the comfort seat triggers the action, the pots, they are not simply visual, but visual triggers the rest. I feel this strongly because when it comes to social issues my dad has those needs aurally (what's the right word for visual when talking about hearing?) He doesn't know what we all take for granted because so much of world is gained through hearing and we don't even realize. we often think he knows what we know forgetting we know because we heard cues (cars, motors, birds, rain, clocks, exclamations or sighs) that he does not hear. So often no one clues him in and then is surprised when he seems uncaring or unaware. Wish I knew the answer to that one. The hearing aids help but not as much as One would think.

LifeRyder, nice to see you on here, haven't seen your posts for a while.
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Though Mother is currently in a 'Rehab' facility -fractured left hip- and it's 287 miles from my residence (of over 30yrs.), I can't fathom having Mother with me. That may seem to be 'unloving' by more then a few, it is just a reality. The information or viewpoints presented in this article are noteworthy. Having attempted taking the role of caregiver I found it a challenging thing, very much so. Being the eldest of four remaining children, my siblings decided it was 'your responsibility to take care of Ma.' That didn't set well, nor does it still. Of the children Mother bore, I am the only one who calls, on a regular basis. Being a 'senior citizen' myself, still working and owning a home and having four sons -all adults- leaves my feeling run ragged.
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Totally agree. I have been using notes and also decluttering - when my mom doesn't notice - for a while and these all help. I also cancelled cable tv in her room and reverted to a simple antenna digital version - the simpler remote control, less channels and older shows was helpful.
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This IS an excellent article, but not at all what I expected from the title. The six cues mentioned (familiar, legible,distinctive, accessible, comfort, safety) are not all necessarily "visual", in fact legibility is the only one that is exclusively dependent on good eyesight.
My mom lost the vast majority of her eyesight due to wet AMD when she was only 75, but she was able to function very well in her home and community because of all these same factors. However I have noticed that her lack of sight has become much more of a handicap as her memory fades, for example when she can neither see the grab bar or remember exactly where it is she needs more help than if she only had a memory deficit.
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THSNK you. So inspiring
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Excellent! Great, practical suggestions. Thank you.
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