After our youth and active adulthood, each of us experiences a gradual DECLINE in physical strength, flexibility, dexterity, and endurance. A variety of conditions contribute to this natural aging process. Our concern is with the physical losses that can create DIFFICULTIES in daily living.

VISION LOSS

Changes in vision accelerate after age 50 and in crease in severity after age 65. It can become more difficult for older persons to see objects CLEARLY. The lens of the eye can become opaque and yellow, affecting its ability to discern closely related colors, especially in the blue-green end of the color spectrum. It also takes longer for an older person's eyes to change focus from an object close at hand to another farther away. And it takes longer for them to focus when they move from light to dark areas or vice versa. During these intervals, they may not be able to see HAZARDS such as steps or furniture. Fortunately, visually-impaired people can adapt successfully to most environmental circumstances, especially FAMILIAR spaces such as their own homes.

HEARING LOSS

Hearing loss is the most COMMON disability among older persons. As people age, they generally lose inner ear bone conductivity and nerve sensitivity. Hearing ability, especially in the higher frequencies, declines gradually. A profoundly DEAF person often cannot use telephones and often must travel to relay messages. Teletypewriters can greatly increase communication between hearing-impaired people, their families and friends. These machines type out telephone messages that can be picked up by another similar machine. And appropriate emergency communication systems are critical for deaf people. Audible warning signals should be accompanied by visual warning systems or vibration devices.

HAND LIMITATIONS

ARTHRITIS is a common disability among older persons. This malady can cause painful degeneration of the joints, and severely restrict mobility. For people with arthritis or other dexterity-limiting conditions, operating controls and switches, gripping objects such as door knobs, and using tools are the chief problems. If arthritis affects anyone in your household, you may want to install large levertype CONTROLS on faucets, door latches, and appliance knobs. You can easily modify an existing knob control by fitting a rubber furniture leg tip over the control and inserting a small wooden dowel through it to create a lever arm. To determine whether or not a control can be used by a person with a dexterity problem, try the following "rule of thumb" -- if an able-bodied person can operate the control with his or her FIST closed, then almost anyone, regardless of hand disability, will be able to operate the control.

MOBILITY IMPAIRMENTS

Walking from one place to another and going up and down steps can be extremely difficult for people with limited mobility. For those with heart disorders, these activities can be particularly hazardous. You can overcome these problems by RELOCATING bedrooms or living spaces onto the same level, by establishing convenient storage areas, and by removing hazards on paths between commonly used rooms in your home. Try to conserve energy by climbing stairs only when necessary and by storing frequently used household items where they can be retrieved with a MINIMUM of bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying.