Gifts for People with Macular Degeneration and Gifts for Macular Degeneration Patients
“What are some gifts for someone with bad eyesight?” asked a family member of a visually impaired client I was recently working with. I gave some suggestions based on their family members eye disease (ARMD), and wrote up a blog post to help guide others on a similar search for gifts, see below.
Interested in purchasing a thoughtful gift for a friend, family member, patient or client with macular degeneration? Consider how your friend, loved one or patient functions with their impaired vision. The nature of macular degeneration manifestation is the limitation of central vision when looking out at the world. The central, sharpest focusing power of vision is limited, decreased, or may present as a blind spot in the center of vision. Given this, small print is nearly impossible to read, and details are either blurred or not visible at all. As a result, thoughtful gifts, or products for those with macular degeneration likely offer access to visual details and small printed information. You may give the gift of “access” through some of the below suggested gifts or presents.
The below are items that are useful for those with macular degeneration, and include large print stationary/books for daily living, assistive devices and products. Gift ideas range in price from $4250 for the high-tech assistive technology option to $8 for Jumbo Large Print Word Search Puzzle Books.
Assistive Technology Devices by OrCam
OrCam Read – First-of-its-Kind Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assistive Reader for Anyone Who is Exposed to Large Amounts of Text at School, Work, or on The Go
See details: https://amzn.to/3kFY8gy
OrCam MyEye Pro – The Most Advanced Wearable Assistive Device for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Featuring Smart Reading, Face Recognition, Color & Product Identification, Orientation (beta) & More
See details: https://amzn.to/2XU4wbv
Large Button Cordless Phone for Visually Impaired
Many folks, or their friends and family help them search and shop for a cordless phone with larger than average print numbers, and a display that has more contrast than a standard grey electronic screen with dark grey text. This VTech model is the best compromise if you are shopping for someone who definitely prefers a cordless phone to a corded phone. (The corded phone option has the advantage of more space for larger print buttons and larger display screen, if any). We have included both the cordless and a corded model–both are available on Amazon.com.
- Large Button Cordless Phone for Visually Impaired–The “corded” phones allow for jumbo large buttons, however this VTech cordless phone is the best option in the cordless category, offering the most contrast in the digital output screen.
See details:
VTech SN5127 Amplified Cordless Senior Phone with Answering Machine, Call Blocking, 90dB Extra-Loud Visual Ringer, One-Touch Audio Assist on Handset up to 50dB, Big Buttons and Large Display - Home Intuition Amplified Single Line Corded Desk Telephone with Large Easy to Read Buttons and Extra Loud Ringer
See details: https://amzn.to/39EnGUK
Large Print Word Search Puzzle for Adults – Ideal Gifts for Macular Degeneration Patients
- See details: Jumbo Large Print Word Search Puzzle for Adults
Benefits of Word Search Puzzles:
- Ideal when waiting, relaxing, traveling, taking break from electronic screen
- Are a fantastic way to exercise the mind, especially for those at senior center, low vision in-patients, or out-patients
- Give comfort and some sense of purpose to those w/ mild dementia
- Helps your loved one achieve mental stimulation
- Requires mind stimulation, including thinking, associating and making conclusions
- Push you to challenge self to search at angles, and conceptualize words that aren’t horizontal
- Offers a set routine and the feeling of control in an otherwise out of control world
- Fantastic resource for those who are low vision, visually impaired, those with dementia or alzheimer’s, or anyone who enjoys a big print word search/word find activity that contains minimal visual clutter, and a large print size
- Keeps your mind active, offering puzzles and full large print solutions
- Medium level challenge, not too easy, not too difficult
- Promotes eye muscle exercises and inherent vision therapy: saccades, pursuits and scanning
Internet Password Log Book
See details: Jumbo Large Print Internet Password Organizer Book
Jumbo Large Print Gift Set
Jumbo Large Print Gift Set — Checking/Account Ledger, Bold Lined Notebook, 2022 Date Calendar–matching stationary design
See details: www.jumboprintco.com
Gifts for Women with Macular Degeneration
- Magnifier Pendant Necklaces:
- 1928 Brand Jewelry 14k Gold Dipped River Stone Semi Precious Gemstone Magnifier Pendant Necklace, 30″
See details https://amzn.to/3lUCZ1i - Artisan Owl Ornate Filigree 4X Magnifier Magnifying Glass Sliding Top Magnet Pendant Necklace, 30″
See details: https://amzn.to/3CNSnDx - Large Print Playing Cards:
Bicycle Large Print Playing Cards (2-Pack)
See details: https://amzn.to/3CPZMSQ
Gifts for Men with Macular Degeneration
- Pocket Magnifier with Real Leather Casing
Galco Brand Magnifying Glass with Case Havana SL815DH
See details: https://amzn.to/3iawne9
- Head Mount Magnifier Jewelers Magnifying Glasses Optivisor 1.5X 2X 2.5X 3.5X Optical Headset Magnifying Visor Reading Magnifier Jeweler Loupe With 4 Lens Close Work Magnifier Headset for Electronics
See details: https://amzn.to/3AJJESd