Jewish Home Lifecare’s Options for Elders with Glaucoma and Other Visual Impairments

January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, a good time to explore options for low vision seniors offered by Jewish Home Lifecare.

Glaucoma, which is actually a group of eye diseases, is the leading cause of preventable blindness. It’s called the sneak thief of sight because there are no symptoms in its early phases, and seniors are in the high risk group for developing this stealthy disease.

Prevent Blindness America, the organization spearheading Glaucoma Awareness month, reports that more than 2.2 million Americans age 40 and older suffer from glaucoma. In addition to people over 60, high risk groups include African-Americans, diabetics, family members of those already diagnosed and people who are severely nearsighted.

There are several types of glaucoma; the two most common are primary open-angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma. When symptoms do occur, they vary by type.

Primary open-angle glaucoma signs and symptoms include:
• Gradual loss of peripheral vision, usually in both eyes
• Tunnel vision in the advanced stages
Acute angle-closure glaucoma signs and symptoms include:
• Pain
• Sudden onset of visual disturbance, often in low light
• Blurred vision
• Halos around lights
• Reddening of the eye

There is no cure for glaucoma—yet. However, medication or surgery can slow or prevent further vision loss. The appropriate treatment depends upon the type of glaucoma, and early detection is vital to stopping the progress of the disease. Seniors and others in high risk groups should be sure to have their vision checked regularly.

For seniors experiencing vision loss due to Glaucoma or other causes, there are a range of options in care available to them through Jewish Home Lifecare, from long term care to adult day services to supportive senior housing at Kittay House.

The Guild Institute for Vision and Aging at the Bronx campus of Jewish Home Lifecare

This specially renovated 38-bed unit is tailored to the needs of people with vision loss and appropriate for those with other medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes and osteoporosis. All staff working on the unit are specially trained in SightCare, the vision loss and education and training program of The Jewish Guild for the Blind. This training allows the staff to truly meet the special needs of people with vision loss and use techniques and devices to improve independence in low vision individuals.

The Guild Institute for Vision and Aging features thoughtful environmental design and features that make daily living easier, including:
• Enhanced room and hallway lighting with special attention to over-the-bed lighting
• Visibility of doorways and handrails
• No protrusions or obstacles in the hallway
• Flat screen television and music entertainment centers as well as TV reading service
• Five acre campus with award-winning gardens, notably the Klingenstein Healing Garden designed for the five senses.

Low Vision seniors will also find a range of services, including:
• On site social work services
• A broad range of patient-centered medical, vision, low vision rehab and mental health services
• Coordination of care with family and community organizations
The criteria for admission: medically documented diagnosis of eye disease, medically documented diagnosis of illness or condition commonly accepted to cause vision loss such as diabetes; documented or self reported vision loss resulting in functional impairments, sufficient cognitive responsiveness to participate in unit life and programs; stable medical condition.

For more information or a tour call Beverly Maloney-Beckley at 718 410-1500 x8937-8

The Adult Day Care Center for the Visually Impaired

The Adult Day Care Center for the Visually Impaired, located on Jewish Home Lifecare’s Bronx campus, offers a specialized program to visually impaired adults who require ongoing medical monitoring.

This program is held in a setting specifically designed for the visually impaired and offers social services and recreational activities. Participants in the program receive round-trip transportation, breakfast and a hot nutritious meal.

This program offers participants vision rehabilitation including adaptive skills training, orientation, mobility, and communication. Our specially trained staff will provide nursing supervision and medical monitoring as well as occupational, physical and speech therapies. They work with people who are blind or partially sighted, as well as with family and friends, to improve the overall quality of life.

For more information about The Jewish Home’s Adult Day Care Center for the Visually Impaired, email: bronx_daycenter@jewishhome.org or call (718) 410-1502.

Kittay House: The Smart Choice for Seniors with Low Vision

Kittay House Senior Housing is an ideal choice for the visually impaired. Not only will these seniors enjoy the dining and housekeeping services available to them, they’ll also find accommodations to enhance their daily living.

Throughout the building there are vision-friendly environmental modifications, including:
• Color contrasting paint in hallways and doorways, and color coded floors
• Enhanced contrast lighting in rooms and hallways and safety bars along the hallway
• Talking elevators.

The Kittay House staff members receive special training in low vision issues, allowing them to be supportive and sensitive. Because vision loss can be progressive, Kittay House facilitates educational presentations for residents on normal and abnormal changes in vision, and support and referrals if necessary.

Kittay House residents can also participate in a low vision support group. Betty Gumanow, who moved to Kittay a year and a half ago, is a longtime activist for the visually impaired who leads the monthly group. They’ve hosted speakers, gone on a trip to the Lighthouse, and shared tips on everything from finding a talking watch to enabling the vision-friendly captioning on the Kittay library TV.

Low-vision seniors are encouraged to participate in the full range of Kittay activities – the choir director recently purchased special magnifying glasses for low vision singers, and all the activities are listed on a bulletin board with extra large lettering to encourage full participation. As the number of Veterans increases, low vision Vets at Kittay also enjoy that special camaraderie.

Research Institute on Aging

Elders and Low Vision is a focus area for Jewish Home Lifecare’s Research Institute on Aging. In conjunction with leading vision organizations, they conduct research designed to enhance the quality of care and quality of life afforded older adults and their families, and expand our knowledge of vision loss and the aging experience.

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