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Q&A: My Home in Sight empowers people living with wet AMD
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To better help patients with wet age-related macular degeneration continue to live independently, Novartis recently partnered with celebrity interior designer Nate Berkus to create the program My Home in Sight.
The purpose of the program, which was designed with the recommendations of six leading ophthalmology patient advocacy groups, is to empower people diagnosed with wet AMD continue to live safely and independently in their homes through five key principles: safety, color and contrast, lighting, organization and low-vision tools.
Berkus spoke with Healio.com/OSN about the importance of making the home safe.
Question: How is proper organization key for improving safety and style around the home?
Answer: Organization is important in any home, period. But it’s even more critical for people living with changing vision. Simple tips, like having a designated place for keys and glasses so they always know where to find them. You also want to have well-organized drawers and cabinets, so that things you use every day are easily accessible.
Q: How can proper lighting make the home safer to navigate and still be stylish?
A: In any room, lighting is always one of the most important considerations, and even more so for people with changing vision. Add extra lamps, such as task lamps or gooseneck lamps, to improve safety and function. Old English country homes typically had one light source per place to sit, and that’s a good rule of thumb here. Be mindful of all the lamp cords — you want to make sure they are tucked away or secured with tape.
Q: What are the best ways to improve color and contrast to help avoid common hazards in the homes of people with AMD?
A: Using high contrast and color can really help improve safety by helping to define where things are in a space. For example, add contrasting pillows to a pair of side chairs or a bold textured throw on the end of a sofa or bed. Bright tape can also be used at the edge of steps or to tape down rugs to help people navigate their homes safely.
Q: What else should people know about My Home in Sight ?
A: The complimentary My Home in Sight kit offers room-by-room suggestions and small changes that can make a big impact to help people with wet AMD live safely and more independently in their homes.
This campaign is important to me because my grandmother was impacted by macular degeneration. I remember us trying to figure out how to help her live more comfortably and independently in her own home, but we didn’t have the answers. I love that I can now help give people with changing vision the tools to make better, safer design decisions in their homes. People can go to MyHomeInSightKit.com to learn more about the program’s five key principles for adapting any home space and to register to receive more design tips and a free home kit.
Disclosure: My Home in Sight is sponsored by Novartis.