White Cane Safety Day

October 15 is White Cane Safety Day. When this day was first established in 1963, President Johnson noted that, “The white cane in our society has become one of the symbols of a blind person’s ability to come and go on his own. Its use has promoted courtesy and special consideration to the blind.” The white cane speaks to blind people’s independence and self-sufficiency and White Cane Safety Day is meant to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired. Helen Keller, Andrea Bocelli and Stevie Wonder are just a few individuals who made a substantial impact on the world in spite of their blindness.

Age impacts our eyes. As we get older, it can take longer for our eyes to adjust and focus, our sensitivity to glare can increase and it can be harder to distinguish color contrasts. In honor of White Cane Safety Day, we’d like to provide you with a few tips to maintain eye health in seniors.
• To avoid falls and eye-related injuries, make sure all rugs in your home are slip-proof.
• Secure all railing in your home so that they are never loose.
• High blood pressure and diabetes can affect eye health. Keep your eye doctor informed of any new health conditions as well as medications you are taking so that he/she can provide a comprehensive assessment of your eye functioning.
• Just like the rest of our body, our eyes benefit from regular exercise because our blood circulation and oxygen intake increase.
• Wear protective eye gear when you are outdoors.
• Sleep provides natural lubrication for our eyes. Make sure you are getting enough sleep each night so that your eyes have the time to clear any irritants like dust or smoke that may have been picked up during the day.
Considering taking these precautions to care for your eyes as you age.
Oakmont is a luxury senior living community in Santa Clarita. To learn more about Oakmont of Santa Clarita, contact us at 661-295-2025 or visit our website www.oakmontofsantaclarita.com.