Help for Friends & Family

When someone you care about has a vision impairment (VI), it’s natural to want to help. Often, the most valuable support you can give is encouragement, patience and understanding.

We know it can sometimes feel daunting when you are finding ways to support a loved one. Here are some simple ways to help make a real difference.

As a family member or friend, we naturally want to help as much as possible. In some cases, this can be helpful but if we do most things for them, this can lead to a lack of independence or a sense of control. So instead:

• Encourage the person to do things independently, but safely.
• Avoid ‘taking over’ a task if the person is attempting to do it themselves
• Always ask beforehand before stepping in. A simple “would you like a hand?” gives them control, dignity and choice
• Try not to move belongings or furniture without letting them know – familiar surroundings help people remain safe and independent

Social inclusion is important for everyone, especially a person with a vision impairment, so:

• Invite them to join in activities or social events – don’t assume they can’t take part.
• Make sure they are included in group conversations by addressing them directly.

Maintaining good social connections is vital for our health and mental wellbeing and can be a brilliant way for people with a vision impairment to spend time with others and feel part of the group!

Depending on the person’s level of sight, they may require more clear communication.

• If giving directions, be specific – instead of saying “the door is just over there” say “the door is down the hall on your left”
• Use clear and natural language, it’s fine to say things like “see you later” or “did you see that on TV last night?” – It’s important to make people feel included and not excluded and language is an important way to achieve this.
• Depending on the person’s level of sight and their personal preference, it may be a good idea to say your name or let them know when you arrive or let them know when you are leaving. This helps them feel more comfortable.

Adjusting to sight loss is very personal to each individual with a VI and can often be frustrating and tiring. Sometimes people with a VI may experience feeling of grief and sadness.

• Offer a listening ear: Be attentive and listen carefully when they want to talk about how they are feeling. It’s important to allow them the space to feel heard.
• Sometimes it can take a while for someone with sight loss to want to talk about their experiences or feelings, so be patient. Sometimes, them simply knowing you are there makes all the difference.
• It is natural to want to highlight the positives in someone’s life when they are feeling low or going through a tough time and often we may say things like “well at least you can…” or “it could be worse….”. Sometimes phrases like this, despite good intention can invalidate feelings. Try not to be overly positive.

It’s important to remember that being supportive doesn’t always mean doing more. It sometimes means giving your friend or loved one the space, confidence and encouragement to do things on their own.