Supporting Residents with Sight Loss in Care Homes: Practical Tips, Case Studies, and Training Insights

By Dan Morgan-Williams, Founder of Visualise Training and Consultancy

With an ageing population and more people living longer, sight loss is becoming increasingly common in UK care homes. Over 2 million people in the UK live with visual impairment, and many are residents in care settings. Yet sight loss is often overlooked, leaving residents at risk of isolation, accidents, and reduced quality of life. This article offers practical guidance, case studies, and training-style tips to help care home owners, managers, and staff create environments where visually impaired residents can thrive.

Understanding Visual Impairment in Residents

Older adults are particularly affected by conditions such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Each condition affects vision differently. For example, AMD impacts central vision, glaucoma often reduces peripheral vision, and cataracts cause overall blurriness. Understanding these differences is crucial for tailoring support to individual residents.

Case Study: When Sight Loss Goes Unnoticed

Mrs H, an 82-year-old resident, had gradually lost her sight due to untreated glaucoma. Her care home staff assumed her withdrawal from activities was due to dementia. In reality, she avoided social spaces because poor lighting and cluttered walkways frequently caused her to fall. Without appropriate support, she became isolated, her mood declined, and her health needs increased. This example highlights the risks of failing to address visual impairment in care homes.

Environmental Adjustments: Quick Wins

Simple, low-cost changes can dramatically improve residents’ independence and safety:

✅ Place high-contrast strips on stair edges and bathroom grab rails.
✅ Ensure all areas have consistent, layered lighting (ambient + task).
✅ Avoid clutter and keep furniture in consistent locations.
✅ Use matt flooring to reduce glare and confusion.
✅ Label important areas such as toilets and dining rooms in large print or tactile signs.

Case Study: A Success Story

Mr L, a resident with macular degeneration, moved into a care home that had recently invested in staff training and environmental changes. The team installed brighter LED lighting, used high-contrast crockery, and trained staff in sighted guiding techniques. As a result, Mr L regained confidence, re-joined group activities, and reported a significant improvement in his wellbeing. This success demonstrates how small, thoughtful adaptations can transform daily life.

Staff Training & Awareness

Training staff to understand and respond to sight loss is critical. Many residents will not openly discuss their difficulties, so staff must learn to recognise the signs and adapt their communication accordingly.

✅ Always introduce yourself by name when entering a room.
✅ Offer your arm when guiding, rather than pulling or pushing.
✅ Describe surroundings and explain changes, e.g. “We are about to step into the lounge; the chairs are on your left.”
❌ Do not move furniture without informing the resident.
❌ Do not leave doors half-open — it creates hazards.
❌ Do not shout; speak clearly instead.

Emotional & Social Wellbeing

Supporting social inclusion is just as important as physical safety. Residents with sight loss may withdraw from activities if they feel excluded or isolated. Care homes can:
✅ Adapt group activities with large-print or tactile resources.
✅ Provide verbal descriptions of group events.
✅ Encourage peer support and involve family members in planning.

Partnerships & Resources

Care homes don’t need to tackle sight loss alone. Local authorities, sensory support teams, and charities such as RNIB and Guide Dogs offer valuable resources. Eye Clinic Liaison Officers (ECLOs) can also provide practical advice. Accessing grants or funding for equipment can reduce costs and improve outcomes for residents.

Conclusion: Taking Action

Supporting residents with sight loss doesn’t have to be complicated or costly. With the proper awareness, staff training, and environmental adjustments, care homes can dramatically enhance the quality of life, independence, and dignity of their residents.

At Visualise Training and Consultancy, we deliver tailored Visual Impairment Awareness Training for care teams. Our lived-experience trainers equip staff with the confidence and practical skills needed to provide outstanding, inclusive care.

OPTIONAL PARAGRAPH – To learn more about visual impairment awareness training for your staff team, check out our eLearning and face-to-face options at https://visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com/training

Notes to Editors:

Daniel Morgan-Williams

Visualise Training and Consultancy Ltd was established in 2014 by Daniel Morgan-Williams, who founded the company despite experiencing gradual vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa.

Daniel’s motivation to start the business arose from his experiences of a lack of accessibility and inclusion within workplaces and broader society. This affects people with sight loss, hearing loss, tinnitus and those who are Deaf. Many disabilities are hidden, so they are not easily recognised.

What began as a focused approach centred on sight loss and its associated challenges has since grown to encompass all forms of sensory loss. This enables employees to develop their careers through workplace assessments that recommend reasonable adjustments and awareness training for colleagues.

To find out more, visit https://visualisetrainingandconsultancy.com