I was recently visiting with a friend whose 93 year old mother has macular degeneration. She lives in an assisted living facility, and serves as the activities and social events coordinator. Needless to say she is quite sharp and capable of handling her finances and wants to as well – except she has trouble seeing her bank statements, balancing her checkbook and writing her checks. Although she is fiercely independent she is not afraid to ask for help from others. However, she of course wants to keep her finances private and while her adult children are happy to help her, they live several hours away and travel frequently, so they can’t always be there when she needs them.

She is not alone in this quandary. For many people with macular degeneration this is an area that often robs them of their independence. However, it is possible not to have to delegate this task to another person with the help of some different low vision aids.

Bank Statements

The most helpful vision aid that serves many different purposes is a low vision closed circuit TV (CCTV) like the one from Enhanced Vision, called the Merlin HD. A person can see and read their bank statements by simply placing the statement on a flat surface underneath a camera that then displays the statement onto a large screen. The image can be magnified and the contrast can be adjusted so that the numbers can easily be seen and read.

Plain Checks

Order large print checks from your bank so that the check numbers are more visible. Be sure to buy plain checks without any pattern or design in the background.

Check Guide

For under $2.00 you can get a check writing guide. It is a plastic guide that is placed on top of your check. Cut-out windows for each piece of information you need to fill in – from the date to your signature – provides guidance in writing the information in the right space.

Large Print Check Register

Keeping a record of the checks you write and deposits you make are much easier when the space is larger for writing that information.

Large Tip Writing Pen

Write with a large tip, black writing pen called a 20/20 pen rather than a regular ink pen. You will be able to see and read what you wrote when it comes time to balance your checkbook.

Large Number or Talking Calculator

Get a calculator that has large number buttons and displays the numbers big enough so you can see them. You may prefer a calculator that not only uses large numbers, but one that also speaks the numbers as well.

For more tips on keeping independent with your finances visit:

Low Vision Aids – Large Print Checks, Check Writing Guides, and Large Print Check Registers

Leslie Degner, RN, BSN

www.WebRN-MacularDegeneration.com