How can I make my home safer and more comfortable?

Your home is "your castle" and you want to continue feeling safe, comfortable, and in control of your personal living environment. In the early stages of vision loss, you may begin to feel the need to make changes in your home that will allow you to remain independent, safe, and more "in control" when you're preparing meals, bathing, doing laundry, and managing your correspondence.

Home Evaluation

Since each person's living and personal situation is unique, it might be helpful to start with our quick and easy home evaluation for hints about what you and your family can do to make your home safer and more comfortable. It's unlikely you will need to use all of the suggested recommendations, but if you find even one of them helpful, it's likely to contribute to improving the quality of your life, and that's really what this section is all about — your continued safety, comfort, and well-being.

Home Modification

Home modification describes the process of using the information you obtain from your home evaluation to make changes or modifications within your home that are functional, accessible, and safe. When you are ready to begin making changes in your home environment, it's always helpful to include your family members in all discussions about problem areas, proposed modifications, and possible solutions. In addition, try to ask the following questions about each home modification or change that you are considering:

• Is it safe?
• Is it practical?
• Is it cost-effective?

Making Your Home Safer and More Livable: The Basics

Evaluating and modifying your home does not have to be expensive or difficult. Many useful adaptations are as simple as installing a brighter light bulb, replacing sheer curtains with mini-blinds to cut down on glare, or marking the edges of steps with brightly colored tape or paint to make them easier to see.

When you evaluate your home to determine where you might need changes or modifications, try to begin with three basic areas:

• Lighting
• Color
• Contrast

About Lighting

Lighting is an important consideration for individuals who have low vision. When you evalaute your home, consider the everyday activities you perform in each room or area of your home, and then decide if you need additional or different lighting in each space.

There are several different types of light, each with its own distinct characteristics:

Sunlight/Natural Light:

• The best, most natural type of light, but it is not always consistent or reliable, such as on cloudy or overcast days, for example.
• It can also cause problems with glare and shadows, both indoors and outdoors.

Incandescent Light/Light Bulbs:

• Incandescent light bulbs are available in many different wattages (25, 40, 60, 75, 100, and 150) and come in clear and "soft white" finishes. They are used primarily in table lamps, floor lamps, and ceiling fixtures.
• Incandescent light is very concentrated; therefore, it is better for "spot" lighting on near tasks or close work, such as reading, sewing and crafts.
• It is not recommended for general room lighting because it creates shadows and glare spots.
• Incandescent light is very stable and does not "flicker" like fluorescent light.
• As the wattage of an incandescent light bulb increases, however, heat also increases; therefore, incandescent light is not recommended for prolonged close work.
• Newer "full-spectrum" incandescent light bulbs are now available that more closely resemble natural sunlight and produce a cleaner, brighter light for some individuals who have low vision. Since this type of light is closest to natural sunlight, it is recommended that you exercise caution by using sunscreen and avoiding long exposure times.

Fluorescent Light:

• Fluorescent lighting is available in several wattages (10, 15, 20, and 25) and, until recently, was used primarily in ceiling fixtures.
• Newer compact fluorescent bulbs fit into regular lamp sockets and provide illumination that is comparable to incandescent light.
• Fluorescent light is better for overall room lighting becasuse it illuminates a broader area than incandescent light and does not create shadows.
• It is cooler than incandescent light, uses less energy, and is less expensive to operate.
• Fluorescent light is not stable, however; it can flicker and produce a "strobe" effect that is noticeable by people with low vision.
• Fluorescent light cannot be dimmed as easily as can incandescent light.

Halogen Light:

• Halogen light is more concentrated and brighter than regular incandescent light bulbs. It is generally used in task lamps, track lighting, and recessed ceiling fixtures.
• Halogen light is more energy-efficient and cost-effective than regular incandescent light bulbs.
• It is, however, hotter and more focused than incandescent light; therefore, it is not recommended for prolonged close work.
• Halogen bulbs need to be replaced frequently and are more expensive than comparable incandescent lights.
• Please note: Use precautions when positioning halogen lights or lamps close to your body, curtains, or furniture. Halogen bulbs produce intense heat and can cause fire, severe burns, and personal injury if used incorrectly. Halogen fixtures should always be kept away from flammable curtains and fabrics. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using halogen lighting fixtures.

Lighting and Glare

As you evaluate the different types and sources of light within your home, it's also important to check for glare.

Glare is reflected or uncontrolled light that shines directly into your eyes. Although it is very bright, the light produced by glare does not usually help you see more clearly; instead, it can interfere with your visual comfort, physical safety, and independent performance of everyday activities. Many individuals who have low vision are particularly sensitive to the functional effects of glare and can even experience temporary "blindness" when exposed to glare spots or intense sunlight.

Glare can be caused by many different factors within your home:

• Highly polished tile, linoleum, or wooden floors
• Shiny desktops or tabletops
• Television screens and computer monitors
• Chrome fixtures, mirrors, and glossy tile in bathrooms
• Uncovered light bulbs in lamps and ceiling fixtures
• Windows without curtains or shades

Additional Lighting Considerations

Although additional lighting is usually helpful, it is not recommended that you create additional illumination by simply placing a higher-wattage bulb into an existing light fixture or lamp.

Most manufacturers of lighting fixtures provide information about maximum recommended wattage limits, since exceeding the recommended wattage could cause fires and personal injury. In addition, putting a high-wattage bulb into a ceiling fixture will not necessarily produce better, more functional light; instead, doing so could increase glare and create more and deeper shadows.

To ensure better light in a work area in which you are reading, cooking, using the telephone, or doing crafts, a "task lamp" can be helpful. It can be either a floor or table lamp with a flexible arm or gooseneck that allows you to adjust the height and direction of the light and focus it directly on your work area.

Here's a lighting tip that you might find helpful: Cutting the distance in half between a light source and the task (by bringing the light closer to your work) will make the brightness or intensity of the light approximately four times greater.

Thus, you don't necessarily have to purchase a stronger light bulb; instead, it is helpful to move the light closer to your work. A flexible-arm task lamp is ideal for this purpose. It is usually more effective to use a task lamp with a regular 40- or 60-watt bulb close to the work area than to use a 250-watt bulb in a ceiling fixture.

The flexible-arm task lamp shown here contains a fluorescent "ring" that surrounds an incandescent light bulb and is available from ShopLowVision.com. You can also find a variety of regular and specialized lighting products in Sources of Products for Independent Living and Find Lighting Products on this web site.

For more specific suggestions about using lighting when modifying your home, see Room by Room.

About Color

Although many people who have low vision can also experience decreased color perception, it is still possible to use color to enhance independence, safety, and accessibility.

Keep the following color principles in mind as you evaluate your home:

• Bright colors are generally the easiest to see because of their ability to reflect light.
• Solid, bright colors, such as red, orange, and yellow are usually more visible than pastels.
• Lighting can influence the perception of color: Dim light can "wash out" some colors, while bright light can intensify others.

Also keep in mind that distinguishing colors within each of the following groups may be more difficult for some individuals who have low vision:

• Navy blue, brown, and black
• Blue, green, and purple
• Pink, yellow, and pale green

Color can also provide important safety cues:

• An indicator of change in surface or level, such as ramps or stairs
• A warning for potential hazards, such as doors or cabinets that have been left ajar
• A means of color-coding household files, documents and bills.

Here are some general color modifications for you to consider:

• When creating or coding household files, use Post-It notes in fluorescent colors, brightly colored stickers or paper clips, or brightly colored fluorescent markers.
• Mark cabinets and the edges of doors with brightly colored fluorescent tape to make them easier to detect when open.
• Mark a specific chair, table, desk, or work space with bright fluorescent paint or tape, a brightly colored chair cushion, or a bright red or orange ribbon to help you locate a particular location or activity independently.

For more specific suggestions about using color when modifying your home, see Room by Room.

About Contrast

Contrast sensitivity refers to the ability to detect differences between light and dark areas; therefore, if you are an individual with low vision, increasing the contrast between an object and its background will generally make the object more visible. Enhancing contrast is one of the simplest, least expensive, and most effective home modifications you can implement.

Keep the following contrast principles in mind as you evaluate your home:

• White or bright yellow objects or print against a black background usually provide the strongest color contrast.
• Use solid colors as backgrounds to make objects "stand out." Avoid the use of patterns, prints, or stripes.
• Place light-colored objects against darker backgrounds. A white sheet of paper is more visible against a brown desktop or dark blotter.
• Place dark objects against lighter backgrounds. A dark chair will stand out better against white or cream-colored walls.

Here are some general contrast modifications for you to consider:

• Paint doors, doorknobs, and door frames in bright colors to increase their visibility. Ensure that the color offers sufficient contrast with the door hardware, wall, or other background.
• Paint baseboards in a solid color that contrasts with walls and floor coverings.
• Use a contrasting placemat under your dinner plate to help you see the edge of the plate.
• Use solid non-patterned floor coverings (carpet, tile, or linoleum) that emphasize the boundary between the wall and the floor. Try to avoid using patterned carpets, especially on steps and stairs.
• Install outlet and switch plates that contrast with walls, floors, and baseboards. Illuminated light switches can provide good contrast in a darkened room.
• Place dark objects against lighter backgrounds, or vice versa. For example, a pale green chair could "disappear" against a yellow wall; instead, try covering the chair with a solid, brightly colored slipcover or towel to create contrast and make it "stand out."

For more specific suggestions about using contrast when modifying your home, see Room by Room.

Resources for Home Modification

The following links and resources can help you when you begin to modify your home:

• Sources of Products for Independent Living
• Find Lighting Products
• Find Labeling Products
• Reading with Low Vision Optical Devices
• All About Maximizing All of Your Senses
• What are the most common non-optical devices?