Minutes from March 10, 2015 Meeting

Aging and Disability Network Meeting Minutes 3/10/15

Present: Cindy Harrington (Shelters of Saratoga), Reed Lehan (Saratoga County DSS), Rebecca Zohn (Concepts of Independent Choices), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Diana Martin (Wesley Evergreen ADS), Courtney Brothers (Mechanicville Community Center), Jessi Corrigan (Mechanicville Community Center), Krissy Goodspeed (Interim Healthcare), Denise DiNoto (Consumer Directed Choices), Kim Swire (CHOICES of St. Peter’s), Jennifer Baldwin (Saratoga Hospital), Zach O’Farrell (Mechanicville Senior Center), Cheryl Lawyer (NABA),  Maria Geizer (Home Instead Senior Care).

Introduction: Attendees introduced themselves.

April’s meeting will be held on 4/14 from 2pm-330pm, at the Saratoga Springs United Methodist Church, 175 Fifth Avenue Saratoga Springs.  Rick Ianello, Executive Director of the Albany Guardian Society will be presenting.

Today’s Topic and Speaker: Maureen Strainge, Rehabilitation Therapist, Northeastern Association of the Blind (NABA), presents “Staying Safe in the Kitchen with Low Vision.”

What is the definition of Legal Blindness? Someone who is legally blind has 20/200 vision IN THEIR BEST EYE, with best correction (glasses or contact lenses), OR a visual field (tunnel vision)of 20 degrees or less in the better-seeing eye. Maureen also showed several photos that simulate different types of vision loss, such as macular degeneration, cataracts, near sightedness and diabetic retinopathy.

Maureen demonstrated several tips and equipment that folks living with low vision can use to assist them in the kitchen. Her job is to go into the home and show people how to use these tools in order to increase their personal safety and independence. 

Some highlights:

Getting and staying organized is important. This enables one to be able to learn where things are and keep them that way.

When actively using utensils, put them aside on the side of your dominant hand for easy pick up.

Alphabetize pantry items, like spices, for easy access. Also can rely on smell and taste to figure what is what.

Items that come AT NO COST from NABA (when a person has begun to use their services) include measuring cups with large print or raised print; liquid level indicators (for accurate and safe pouring of liquids); large oven mitts that protect one’s forearms; large print timers; cutting boards; knife guards, and other utensils for people with visual impairments. These items can also be bought through NABA and also be bought online.

As a Rehabilitation Therapist for NABA, Maureen goes into one’s home to conduct this training for the person with the visual impairment. She is careful to ensure that if they have a routine that works already for them, as long as it is safe, she will not advise them to disrupt it. Safety is paramount, and the key piece of this training, as well as continuing to ensure independence.

For more information on NABA services, as well as education on this topic, please contact The Northeastern Association for the Blind at 518-463-1211 or go to their website www.naba-vision.org

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria Geizer

Home Instead Senior Care