Q: Life can be lonely for elders. If they don't have a spouse or family living with them, they may not see very many people on a regular basis. Try to visit them whenever you can make the time. If you can't visit regularly because of distance, make a point of calling to talk to them on the phone. Try to make visits or calls on a regular schedule. Sometimes surprise visits or irregular schedules can be disorienting for an elder. Visiting every Wednesday afternoon, for example, can be a regular activity that the person can look forward to. As people age, they process things and move more slowly. Your elder may need you to walk more slowly or repeat things that you say. Avoid showing impatience and remember that they're doing all they can to keep up. Elders may have a particularly difficult time using or understanding newer technology. You may need to go very slowly when showing them how to use it, or you may choose to not introduce new technologies into their lives. Let the elder set the pace for things like walking or preparing meals. Most elders will have a strong sense of propriety and etiquette. Their expectations for how people talk to each other are likely very different than yours. Don't use the same kinds of slang and casual manners that you would use around your peers. If the elder is not a member of your family, refer to them as Mr., Miss, or Mrs. If they tell you to call them by their first name, you can then feel free to do so. In some cultures, elders expect to be referred to as "sir," "ma'am," or something equivalent. Always make sure that they have food before you serve yourself, and that they have a place to sit before you or other younger people are seated. Avoid paying attention to your phone or computer when you're with an elder. Try to keep your focus on them and your quality time together. Asking an elder about themselves is one of the best ways to show respect. It indicates that you are interested in who they are and that you respect the fact that they've lived a long life and have things to teach you. You can ask them to tell stories from their life. You can ask something like, "Do you remember anything from your time in the war?" or, "Where did your family move after they sold the business?" If they're a member of your family, you can ask them about your family tree. This is a great way to learn about your own history. You can say something like, "Where did your mother's family come from?" or "Did you know any of the people on Grandfather's side?" This may be the most difficult thing for people of all ages to do. However, it's important to remember that cultural norms and expectations change across generations. Things that seem perfectly normal to you may seem unthinkable to someone two generations older than you and vice versa. If matters of politics or social norms become a wedge between you and your elder, try to let it go. You can say something like, "I understand where you're coming from, but I think we might just disagree," or, "We can do things that way here, if you want. But at home I'll probably still do things the way that works for me." You can also ask the person to talk about where they're coming from. Be sure to do so in a way that doesn't convey judgement, though. For example, you can say something like, "Tell me more about why you don't believe in divorce. That sounds really interesting to me," or, "I'd love to know more about what you like about your church."
A: Visit them. Slow down. Be polite. Ask them about their life. Accept generational differences.

Q: There are many different types of soft lenses to meet your needs. Generally speaking, a soft lens is easier to adjust to than a rigid gas permeable lens. Soft lenses also tend to be more comfortable, especially when worn for prolonged periods of time. Extended wear lenses Can be worn overnight and left in continuously for up to seven days without removing them. In addition, Air Optix Night and Days are FDA approved for up to 30 days overnight wear. Planned replacement lenses Should not be worn overnight. Must be replaced regularly, usually every two weeks, four weeks, or 12 weeks. Silicone-based lenses These lenses are highly breathable and prevent deposits from accumulating. This can result in a more comfortable lens with less risk of irritation, especially if you suffer from dry eyes. Colored soft lenses These soft lenses are colored with a tint. The tint may be functional (making it easier to find a lost lens) without altering the color of your eye, or it may be cosmetic, giving you a different eye color than your natural color. Though soft lenses are generally preferable for extended wear, they do not have the longevity that a rigid gas permeable lens has; however, there are some options as far as how long you can reuse a lens before it needs to be replaced. Daily disposable lenses These lenses will cost more money due to the frequency at which they are disposed of; however, changing your lenses on a daily basis carries the lowest risk of infection. These lenses are a good choice for people with dry eyes or are prone to allergies as deposits and allergens have less time to build up because you have a new lens each day. Two week/monthly disposable lenses These are slightly less expensive than daily disposables, and still help reduce the risk of infection by using new lenses every few weeks. Some disposable soft lenses can even be replaced every three months, though you should always defer to your optometrist's advice. Many people choose contact lenses because contacts can be worn during sports without the risk of damage that eyeglasses carry. If you engage in outdoor sports, or if you generally spend a lot of time in the sun, you may want to consider talking to your optometrist about soft lenses with UV protection. It's important to note that not all soft lenses provide UV protection, though many do. Talk to your optometrist about your options if UV protection is a factor in your decision. Full eye protection is important and UV protection in contacts only protects part of the eye. The rest of the eye should be protected too, so you should still wear sunglasses outdoors even if your contacts provide UV protection. For many people, soft lenses are more comfortable than rigid gas permeable lenses and better meet their needs; however, soft lenses usually don't correct vision as well as rigid lenses. There are some other disadvantages that are worth considering. Soft lenses tend to absorb environmental pollutants more easily than rigid lenses. If you are around smoke or airborne particles on a regular basis, you may want to talk to your optometrist to determine if soft lenses would pose a problem. In addition to environmental pollutants, soft lenses also tend to soak up irritants from your hands, including lotion and hand soap. Washing your hands before handling lenses can reduce this risk, though it will not eliminate the chances of absorption. Because of their soft, porous nature, these contact lenses are much more fragile than rigid lenses. As a result, they may rip or tear more easily (though they are meant to be replaced more frequently).
A:
Learn the different soft lens options. Decide on a lens duration. Determine whether UV protection is important. Know the disadvantages of soft lenses.