Picture Source:  The Low Vision Store.com

People who have low vision can have difficulty with everyday activities including writing letters and addressing envelopes.  But,having low vision doesn’t mean you have to lose your ability to write letters to your loved ones.   A writing guide can help by allowing individuals to write within specific boundaries.  A letter writing guide can cost about $6 and a check writing guide can cost about $1.50.  They can be purchased online at The Low Vision Store.com

VisionZone, a nationwide movement to promote ocular health awareness, spearheaded by Optelec U.S. Inc., a world leader in innovative and life changing assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired, today launched its online component, VisionZone.org. The VisionZone initiative is the low vision community’s first live and virtual eye-health resource designed to bridge the gap between eye disease, prevention, awareness and product solutions.

“VisionZone is just starting out, so the more people contribute the better it will become,” said Brian Fischler, 37, a nationally recognized, legally blind stand-up comedian and Founder of Laugh for Sight not-for-profit who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa at age 12. “This is a remarkable venture for those with visual impairment, as it offers advice for people with low vision in all walks of life. VisionZone spreads awareness and helps people in similar circumstances connect – something that many of us in the visually impaired world have been lacking for years.”

Now professionals, businesses, associations, health specialists, non-profits, and the visually impaired can relate both in-person (VisionZone Live) and virtually (VisionZone.org). With VisionZone’s “Connect. Learn. Live. You’re Not Alone Anymore” slogan, it enables knowledge to be shared through a blended, interactive experience with the objective of combating eye diseases, creating a centralized social networking community, and amplifying low vision awareness through one platform.

“Everyday we change lives through Optelec’s innovative assistive technologies, and VisionZone makes not only ours, but other useful solutions such as fitness routines, nutritional tips, and low vision-friendly travel amenities easily accessible,” said Andre Hardy, president of Optelec U.S. Inc. “When someone is diagnosed with a retinal eye disease such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, many times they and their families are desperately searching for support. VisionZone is their long-awaited answer.”

Through this groundbreaking public awareness movement, VisionZone allows visitors to experience a variety of educational resources for activities, products and services based on the themes of Health & Wellness, Travel & Leisure, School & Work, Hobbies & Games, Reading & Writing, and Community. VisionZone will uniquely pair those seeking involvement and those who are already an active part of the low vision industry.

“We chose to unite our forces with Optelec to further endorse the much-needed VisionZone initiative,” said Stephanie Wells, director of development for the Foundation Fighting Blindness. “As an organization that raises funds for retinal degenerative diseases, we have thousands of members who will benefit from learning tips that can easily be integrated into their daily routines.”

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VisionZone.org

By going online, visitors will find a wealth of information including articles on vision health, open discussion forums, and a user-generated networking community designed to connect members for free. VisionZone members can create their own unique social networking profile, sign-up to participate in local events, read influential blogs bylined by health specialists, as well as write their own content.

VisionZone Live

In 2010, VisionZone Live, a cross-country tented mobile tour, will travel to select cities throughout the United States in conjunction with the Foundation Fighting Blindness signature fundraising event called VisionWalk. VisionWalk was created to raise funds for retinal degenerative diseases VisionZone Live offers a variety of demonstrations and exhibits from national and local partners.

Key components include a low vision simulation: friends, family and peers of those who are visually impaired have the opportunity to “touch and feel” with sight-reduced goggles that simulate a variety of various eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy. In addition, participants will have access to a wide range of leading industry assistive technology and daily living aids that can help low vision users at school, on-the-go, at home or at work.

For more information visit www.VisionZone.org or call 800-335-7970. Follow daily updates via @VisionZoneOrg on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

About VisionZone

“Connect. Learn. Live. You’re Not Alone Anymore.” VisionZone is the low vision community’s first live and virtual eye-health resource designed to bridge the gap between eye disease, prevention, awareness and product solutions. VisionZone Live and VisionZone.org connect the eye care, visually impaired and caretaker communities through a blended interactive experience and major corporate and non-profit partners, including Optelec U.S. Inc., which is spearheading the movement. Visit www.VisionZone.org for more information.

Picture source:  Home Depot

High contrast tape can be a great tool for someone with low vision.  Using this tape around doorways allows for high visual contrast, making it easier for the person with low vision to identify the doorframe from the wall.  It can also be used on other items in the home including pot handles.  It can be purchased at stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s and cost about $4.

Picture Source:  Soundbytes.com

It’s crucial for a diabetic to know their blood sugar levels.  A talking blood glucose monitor makes monitoring your blood sugar easy by speaking your numbers.  They are especially beneficial for individuals with low vision or blindness.  In fact, with proper documentation from your ophthalmologist, Medicare Part B and some private insurance policies will cover the cost of a talking blood glucose meter for people who meet the criteria for being legally blind.

Source:  Diabetes Self Management

Having difficulty seeing the numbers on your watch?  Consider wearing a talking watch.  Talking watches allow individuals to tell the time without relying on their vision.  They may be beneficial for individuals with low vision.  There are various styles of talking watches.  They can range in price from $14 to $20 and can be ordered through various websites including, www.independentliving.com, www.thelowvisioncenter.com, and, www.maxiaids.com.

April is OT Month and all this month we’ve been discussing the role of occupational therapists (OTs).  OTs work with a wide population ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.  In the home setting with adults with physical impairments, OTs may work with individuals whose diagnoses include:

• Arthritis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Knee and hip replacements
• Strokes
• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetes

OTs may work in the home with people on functional daily living skills that include:

• Improving independence with dressing, toileting, bathing
• Using adaptive equipment to help increase independence with self help skills
• Training individuals to get in and out of the tub/shower and on and off the commode safely following a disability or injury
• Preparing meals safely

Another important role of the OT may include performing a home safety assessment and making recommendations that can improve the safety and independence in the home.  These recommendations can range from simple modifications to more complex and can include recommending:

• Installing lever handles on doors and faucets
• Installing grab bars in the bathroom
• Rocker switches on light switches
• A curbless roll in shower
• Widening a doorway to allow access by a wheelchair

Adjusting the height of kitchen counters to allow a wheelchair access The AARP recommends OTs be utilized to assist people in identifying ways to improve home safety and for recommending home modifications.  Some OTs choose to become certified in the area of home modification.  Some earn the Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) designation by taking courses through the National Home Builders Association.  Other OTs earn specialty certification in environmental modification through the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), the national association for OTs.

To learn more about occupational therapy, check out the following links:  Occupational Therapy: Helping America Age in Place, AARP

An estimated 21.1% of individuals 75 years old or older have low vision.  Low vision deficits are permanent visual impairments that cannot be corrected with the use of contact lenses, glasses, or surgery.

Low Vision can impact someone’s ability to:

• Read
• Cook
• Take medications
• Groom themselves including shaving and applying makeup
• Get around safely in their home and community

Diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and retinitis pigmentosa can affect an individual’s performance, safety, and independence in their home and community.  Occupational therapists (OTs) often work with individuals with low vision, teaching strategies including:

• Using their available vision to perform daily activities such as cooking and dressing
• Making suggestions regarding lighting options
• Teaching and training in safety strategies for the home and community

• Teaching specialized techniques for reading writing, and cooking
• Training in the of use low vision devices such as magnifiers

Research has indicated that older adults with low vision are at increased risk for depression, may be more distressed due to feelings of loss of control, have increased fear of dependency upon others, and may also have a perceived loss of their ability to maintain their social roles.  Studies have also indicated that individuals with visual impairments are less mobile, have higher mortality rates, and are more likely to have accidents and falls.

However, Low vision rehabilitation services can help; they allow people with visual impairments to utilize adaptive devises and techniques to assist them towards independence when performing their daily activities.  Studies have also indicated that patients who have participated in low vision rehabilitation programs have demonstrated an improvement with quality of life; and low vision services help decrease fears about deteriorating vision.  Click here to learn more about how OTs can help individuals with low vision.

Sources:  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Psychosocial issues in older adults’ adjustment to vision loss:  Findings from qualitative interviews and focus groups, Quality of life of low-vision patients and outcomes of low-vision rehabilitation

April is Occupational Therapy (OT) month.  The American Occupational Therapy Association defines OT as “the therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school, workplace, community, and other settings.

“Occupational therapy services are provided for the purpose of promoting health and wellness and to those who have, or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, activity limitation, or participation restriction. Occupational therapy addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being, and quality of life.”

OTs and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTA’s) work with a vast population ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics.  In the area of pediatrics, some OTs work with neonates in the Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), while others work with children in the school system.  With adults, some OTs work with individuals in hospitals, assisted living facilities and nursing homes.  Many OTs specialize and work with specific populations such as individuals with low vision, while others conduct home assessments and make recommendations regarding modifications that enable people to remain living in their homes as they get older or after an injury.

OTs can play a key role with individuals who desire to age in place.  The AARP recommends OTs be utilized to assist people in identifying ways to improve home safety and recommending home modifications.  The OTs background, education, and training are unique and help prepare them to work with individuals who want to remain living in their homes.

OTs use their medical knowledge, training, and education to assess areas that include thinking skills, muscle control, sense of touch and vision, as well as their ability to access and function in their home environment.  The OT may assess how the individual performs daily functional life skills such as getting dressed, getting in and out of the tub/shower and accessing items in their kitchen/pantry.  They gather this information and make recommendations to improve independence and safety in the home.

Follow The Aging Suite throughout the month as we further explore the role of Occupational Therapy in Aging in Place. You can subscribe to receive our e-news updates, follow us on Twitter or fan us on Facebook.

Source:

Occupational Therapy: Helping America Age in Place and New Markets Emerge From Society’s Needs AOTA, AARP

Love to sew but have a hard time seeing to thread your needles?  Don’t let your visual deficits stop you from enjoying your life and hobbies.  Using a needle threader makes threading a needle easier by allowing a needle to be threaded without relying as much on your vision.  They can be purchased online through sites such as: Independent Living Aids and can cost between $2-$4.



Picture Source:  Slipxsolutions.com

Two weeks ago, we talked about how using color contrast can help in the kitchen with cooking.  Color contrast helps all over the home.  For safety reasons, the bathroom is a very important place to apply color contrast tips for individuals with low vision.  A person with low vision can have a very difficult time seeing a white non slip bath mat in a white bathtub.  Instead, make your non slip bathmat stand out by using a high color contrasting bathmat.