Vision self-management for older adults: A pilot study

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study was to pilot test the vision self-management programme (VSM) a newly developed, 8-week self-management intervention. The programme is a structured, repeatable and theoretically derived programme for older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL).

Method. A pre-and post-test design was used, and involved 12 older adults with ARVL. The activity card sort, a measure of participation in life situations, was the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures examining general health and vision specific domains were also used.

Results. Participants reported a statistically significant increase in participation in life situations immediately following the VSM programme. However, whilst an increase in such participation was still present at 12-week follow-up, this was no longer statistically significant. In addition, the participants demonstrated statistically significant gains in both general health and vision specific domains. Although these findings are exploratory they suggest that the VSM may have both short and longer term benefits for older adults living with ARVL.

Conclusions. Overall findings indicate that the participation in the self-management programme resulted in improved participation and health outcomes and support the need for further study using more rigorous designs.

Keywords:

• Low vision
• self-management
• occupational therapy