Bigger, Bolder, Brighter
Making things bigger, bolder and brighter is a simple way to help make the transition through your new way of living smoother. Increasing the size and changing the colour of things that you use every day is a simple way to adapt to change.
Bigger
Magnifiers are available in a wide range of sizes, strengths and models to suit the task at hand, like:
- Reading and writing
- Looking at photographs
- Craft hobbies including sewing, knitting and painting.
If reading is your passion, make some adjustments to the way you read. Large print options are available in books, newspapers and magazines. Audio books are also easily accessible and available via the Vision Australia Library, or apps like Audible and Spotify.
There is also the option of household products with large buttons, such as,
Bolder
Changing colour and contrast is a simple yet effective way to make your home safer to navigate. If something becomes bolder, it becomes easier for you to find the things you need.
Some easy ways to increase the contrast in your home can include:
- Hanging bright towels in a light bathroom.
- Serving food on white plates.
- Using different coloured containers for similar looking ingredients like sugar and salt.
- Choose a high contrast theme for your computer and web browsers
(here are instructions for Microsoft and instructions for Apple systems)
Brighter
While everyone’s eyes are different and some might not benefit from making things brighter, it’s important to experiment and find the right lighting conditions for you.
Some ways you can do this include:
- Always keep surroundings well-lit.
- Use specialised lamps and bulbs to increase contrast and reduce glare.
- Cover reflective surfaces where possible.
- Use direct task lighting, such as the Daylight Foldi Glo Lamp for activities like reading.
- Under-the-counter lighting for illuminating the kitchen and other large areas.
- Use nightlights around the home to reduce the risk of falling.
- Use lamps in combination with the room’s available lighting.
- Try not to switch the lights off during the day, to avoid a change in lighting as it becomes darker.
Not all home modifications need to be huge and hard to achieve. Some simple changes and additions like those listed above will go a long way in helping you feel comfortable and safe in your own home.
