A Key to Aging in Place

Abstract

Vision impairment is often overlooked by gerontological health professionals or attributed to normal age-related vision changes. With 26% of persons over the age of 75 reporting a vision impairment, it is time for vision rehabilitation professionals to be recognized and included in the multi-disciplinary service team. As the older adult population increases in numbers and longevity increases, it is expected that serious vision loss will become more prevalent. Recognizing the indicators of normal and pathological vision changes and the appropriate individual and environmental intervention strategies available are presented. A functional vision screening questionnaire is offered. Recognition of the unique and complimentary roles of each particular rehabilitation discipline can lead to more effective collaboration.

Key Words:

• Vision rehabilitation
• age-related vision loss
• vision impairment
• visual disability
• functional vision
• vision disorders
• excess disability
• functional independence
• low vision
• partial sight
• environmental adaptation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cynthia Stuen

Jennifer R. Johnson was a graduate student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Texas Woman's University, Houston, TX at the time of this study. She is currently employed as an Occupational Therapist at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, LA

Debra Stewart is Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University and staff therapist at Erinoak Centre, Missis-sauga, Ontario. She is currently completing a MSc (Design, Measurement and Evaluation) at McMaster University.

Ronald L. Mace (deceased, June 29, 1998) was also affiliated with The Center for Universal Design, School of Design, North Carolina University.

Lois Rosage and Geraldine Shaw are Occupational Therapist Consultants who provide evaluations for the housing programs at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.