Around 33% of Americans will develop some kind of sight-reducing eye disease by age 65. Others lose most or all of their sight at much younger ages.
No matter if you’re born blind or gradually lose your vision, life with blindness requires careful planning and long-term support.
In this article, Ability Central addresses your most pressing questions about financial support and long-term care for people who are blind, including:
What medical and financial aid programs assist people who are blind in the US?
Will a long-term care facility be necessary for a person who is blind, and what do I look for to find an appropriate facility?
Are service dogs helpful for people who are blind?
What mental health issues often accompany blindness?
What support groups are available for people who are blind and their loved ones?
Where can I get more information about blindness?
What medical and financial aid programs assist people who are blind in the US?
The annual cost of adult vision problems in the US is around $51.4 billion. While traditional medical and long-term care insurance can help, federal programs are also available.
When looking for medical coverage for someone who is blind, consider the following government-sponsored options:
Medicare covers people with permanent disabilities and those 65 years old or older.
Medicaid covers people with disabilities who have lower incomes.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) may also assist those who qualify.
Medigap insurance supplements the person's Medicare coverage.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides people younger than 65 with Social Security disability payments if they cannot work.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI] guarantees a minimum monthly income for people aged 65 or older who are disabled and have minimal financial means.
Veteran’s Affairs (VA) provides health care benefits for veterans who have actively served in the military.
Many of these options work together. For example, a program called Aged, Blind, and Disabled (ABD) Medicaid provides coverage for a broad range of health services for those who qualify. This coverage includes doctors’ visits, hospital care, medical equipment, and more.
Will a long-term care facility be necessary for a person who is blind, and what do I look for to find an appropriate facility?
Sometimes routine activities like taking walks, completing house chores, and running errands can present many dangers for an adult who lives alone and is unable to see their surroundings.
Similarly, people living with additional health conditions like autism, Down syndrome, or intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) may be overwhelmed trying to take care of themselves without being able to see. And as people without sight grow older, the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other age-related illnesses can disrupt their routines, communication skills, mental health, and more.
Long-term support options like assisted living facilities, home health care, or group homes may be helpful for people who are blind and need more immediate support. These service centers may offer:
Onsite medical care
Low-maintenance lifestyles with provided food, cleaning, or other convenient services
Mental health care and support groups
Social opportunities like clubs or community events
Unique therapies designed for seniors, certain disabilities, or people with changing needs
If you’re looking into support options for blind adults, blind senior care, or long-term management for a vision-related disability, Ability Central offers a nationwide database of nonprofits offering services for people with disabilities. [Visit our Service Locator](https://abilitycentral.org/services) to start your search.
Are service dogs helpful for people who are blind?
Guide service dogs, also called guide dogs or seeing eye dogs, help people who are blind or visually impaired get around, avoid obstacles, and live life to the fullest.
Seeing eye dogs help their humans with things like:
Navigating public spaces, like restaurants, crosswalks, or hiking trails
Simple household tasks, like retrieving medicine or water
Mental health, by providing companionship and comfort
Avoiding danger, by barking to warn them about or guiding them around obstacles
To learn more about service animals and emotional support animals, including how to match with a service dog, see [Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals: History, Laws, and Training.
What mental health issues often accompany blindness?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vision loss has been linked to loneliness, social isolation, and feelings of worry, anxiety, and fear. In fact, 25% of adults with vision loss reported anxiety or depression.
It’s important to let loved ones know they can reach out to others experiencing vision loss, as well as professionals such as their eye doctor, low-vision specialists, or someone specializing in occupational therapy.
Other mental health support options for people who are blind include:
Social clubs and recreational groups
Traditional talk therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Exercise or outdoor programs
Family therapy or couples’ therapy
Support groups
What support groups are available for the person who is blind and their caregivers?
In addition to mental health specialists, support groups can help both people who are blind and their caregivers. Options are available both online and by phone, including:
International Low Vision Support Group (ILVSG) offers monthly support groups by phone.
Eye2Eye is a free phone-based peer support program designed to offer emotional support, assessment, information, referrals, and more to individuals who are blind or visually impaired and their families.
ACB Families is an American Council of the Blind program that provides information, peer support, and friendship for people who are blind, their caregivers, and their friends and family.
Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) offers several support groups for caregivers, including groups for young adults and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Where can I get more information about blindness?
Ability Central offers a series of articles to further your knowledge about blindness. See:
Blindness Warning Signs: What Causes Blindness in Children and Adults?
What Do You Do After a Blindness Diagnosis? How to Navigate Your First Steps
If the person who is blind also has a hearing impairment, see Ability Central’s library of deafblind articles, which includes:
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
