Can I Receive In-Home Care If I'm Blind?

Date Updated: July 26, 2024

Written by:

Rachel Lustbader

Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.

Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers

You can receive in-home care if you’re blind. The federal Rehabilitation Services Administration funds state programs that support independent living services for blind individuals. Through these grants, many states provide benefits such as assistive devices and home care help with:

Mobility
Orientation
Housekeeping
Meal preparation

In addition, the Braille Institute offers free in-home services designed to help individuals and their families adjust to blindness and live independently with the necessary support.

Legally blind people qualify for additional benefits through the Social Security Administration. Social Security Disability Insurance makes monthly payments to individuals with less than 20/200 vision in their better eye for a condition expected to last at least one year. In addition, Supplemental Security Income offers additional benefits to blind people who fall under the established income limit for their region.

Older adults who are blind and have diabetes qualify for home health visits through Medicare. The home health provider prefills insulin syringes for a blind person and teaches them how to use devices to fill syringes accurately and administer the insulin independently. After the individual establishes a routine with their insulin, the home health provider visits periodically for observation and evaluation to ensure the individual’s safety.

Many legally blind people safely live alone with the help of modifications, tools and assistive devices such as:

Electronic mobility aids
Service dogs
Canes
Screen readers with Braille displays
Magnifiers
Raised dots and other tactile guideposts for orientation

Occupational therapy teaches people with no or limited vision to perform daily activities and care for themselves independently. Strategies to stay safe include orientation and marking techniques to navigate the home, clutter removal and Braille labels. Consider investing in a medical alert system if you have blindness and prefer to live alone.

Can I Receive In-Home Care If I’m Blind?

Do Legally Blind People Qualify for Additional Benefits?

Can Legally Blind People Safely Live Alone?