Aging and Disability Network Meeting Minutes for 4/12/16

Aging and Disability Network Meeting Minutes April 12, 2016.

Present: Connie Weaver (Saratoga County Office for the Aging), Maria Geizer (Home Instead Senior Care), Diana Martin (Wesley Evergreen Adult Day Services), Ben Nichols (Saratoga County OFA), Patrick Harrington (Saratoga County OFA), Reed Lehan (Saratoga County DSS), Carol Reardon (Saratoga County OFA), Joann Zales (National Grid), Mary Rickard (Saratoga County OFA), Sharon Emerson (St. Peter’s CHOICES), Ardis Armer  (Saratoga County OFA), Whitney Jobmann (SAIL), Rachael Pflieger (SAIL).

Attendees were welcomed by Mary Rickard and introduced themselves. The next Aging and Disability Network meeting will be held on Tuesday May 10 from 2-330pm at St. Edward’s Church, 569 Clifton Park Center Road, Clifton Park. Darren Barkman from Hearing Health USA will be presenting.

Today’s Presenter and Topic: Cheryl Lawyer, Coordinator of Outreach Services for Northeastern Association for the Blind at Albany, presented "Understanding and Caring for People with Low Vision or Vision Loss."

Some Highlights:

NABA is a 100 year old non-profit and one of 17 such organizations in New York State. NABA provides a wide range of services to individuals with visual impairments.  Some of these services include training and placing legally blind adults in professional employment, and providing rehabilitation services to seniors with age-related vision loss.  NABA, with over a century of experience, continues to help individuals overcome the challenges of vision loss, enabling them to lead more productive, independent lives.  NABA also provides free vision screening for children 18 months to 4 years old through its KidSight Program.

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.

Leading Causes of Vision Loss in American Adults:

1.      Macular Degeneration- leading cause of legal blindness in older Americans. Can lead to gradual or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.

2.      Cataracts – When the lens of your eye gets cloudy.

3.      Glaucoma – a group of diseases that can harm the optic nerve and cause vision loss or blindness.

4.      Diabetic Retinopathy – Complication of diabetes. Occurs when high levels of glucose damage tiny blood vessels inside the retina.

Some early signs of vision loss:

-headaches

-flashes of light

-bumping into things, tripping, falling

-needing more light

-sensitivity to light

-difficulty recognizing familiar faces or objects

-traffic incidents

-spilling while pouring liquids

-discontinuing favorite activities

-hesitancy near stairs

_{When interacting with a blind or visually impaired person…}

1.   If you wish to offer assistance, ask the person first. They may not require assistance and/or may wish to be independent with the situation.
2.   Identify yourself each time you meet the person and introduce all guests by name.
3.    Announce yourself when you enter or leave a room.  Do the same when beginning or ending a conversation so the person does not continue to speak after you leave the room.
4.    Speak in a normal voice unless you know the person has a hearing impairment.
5.    Speak directly to the person rather than through a companion.
6.    If is perfectly fine to use words like “look” or “see” in a conversation. Persons with vision impairment also use these words in everyday conversation.
7.    When dining out, read the menu including the prices.  If the person requests additional assistance, the use of a ‘clock face’ as a reference system can be helpful in describing the positions of food on a plate and items on a table.
8.    To guide a person who is visually impaired, let them take your arm.  This allows the person to follow your body movements.  If you come to steps, curbs or other obstacles, identify them.  In places too narrow to walk side by side, bring your arm back behind you and let the guided person follow. Walk at a comfortable pace.
9.    When giving directions, be clear and concise.  Mention obstacles in the direct path of travel.  Be sure you are facing the same direction as the person so left/right references are accurate.  If you are unsure how to give directions, say something like “How should I describe things?”
10. If you must leave the person alone, find a wall or piece of furniture, etc. for them to stand near rather than leaving them alone in an open space.  This helps the person in establishing orientation and a direction to travel.
11. When approaching a chair, gently place the person’s hand on the back or arm of the chair and explain which way it is facing.  Allow them the opportunity to seat him/herself.
12. Avoid unnecessary touching.  Always ask the person if they need assistance before touching them.  If you are going to touch the person, explain what you are doing first.
13. Please resist the temptation to pet a guide dog. Whenever a guide dog has its harness on, the dog is in its “work mode” and should not be distracted or petted (unless the owner gives permission). Distracting a guide/service dog could compromise the owner’s safety.
14. If you are in an area where there is a stage with amplifiers, explain where the stage and speakers are located so the person does not face the amplifier.
15. The following items can be hazardous to a person with impaired vision:
1. Chairs that are not pushed in
2. Open cabinet drawers
3. Loose rugs
4. Cords that stretch across walking areas
5. Hanging plants or lamps near walking areas
6. Half Open Doors

A person who is visually impaired doing everyday things is normal not ‘amazing’.

Have the same expectations for a visually impaired person as you would for anyone else.  They will tell you which activities pose difficulties, requiring your assistance.

NABA offers a variety of services for folks who qualify, including educational programs for both the individual and caregivers. They offer the Senior Adaptive Living Program for legally blind adults over 55, who are unemployed and living independently. These are free services including a low vision exam and assessment, vision rehab services in the home, instruction in travel skills and counseling. NABA specialists also are available to speak about low vision and adaptive devices and NABA programs throughout the state. NABA offers employment services as well as assistive technology and training and youth programs for qualifying individuals. There truly are many services to help.

For more information about what NABA can do, please call 463-1211 or visit their website www.naba-vision.org