Occupational Therapists can help older people with low vision

Have you noticed someone you know struggling to keep things as clean as they once did? Maybe you are noticing other adjustments or changes like difficulty reading or less reading; avoidance of paper work; reduced activities requiring driving or limiting driving to certain times of the day or specific areas; and comments such as things just are not painted, printed or as clear as they used to be. Any of these may be signs that there are changes in your eye health and/or vision. Hopefully you are getting regular eye exams, but if you haven't had one in the last year and notice any of these changes, it is time to stop procrastinating making an appointment. There are a lot more options to deal with changes in vision than previously available. Once you and your doctor have addressed your eye health and prescription lenses, there are additional technologies and services that can help. Among those people who can be helpful are occupational therapists. To learn more about how an occupational therapist may assist someone with low vision visit this link. Therapists can help older people with low vision

Locked Out

We’ve all been there; the moment you realize that you are locked out of your home or car. There is the instant of alarm, and then the fleeting thoughts of the chaos this disruption is creating. Your mind quickly shifts into high gear, and you try to focus on how to solve the problem of getting in and managing the disruption in your day. We all know this is not a pleasant experience to be kept from a destination, yet if we are lucky we manage this situation with a bit of humor and strategy. I often find myself in this situation, though not locked out of physical spaces. Ten years ago, I left my first profession in part because the electronic record keeping systems that were being put in place by organizations were not accessible to me as a person with a visual disability. No one within my organization had any idea about how the system could be made accessible, the company peddling their product had no clue, and no one in the adaptive technology field had ever heard of the system. Just like the person locked out of their home, I panicked at first, but then I decided that my best bet would be to further my education. It was a big financial risk, but one I thought would be worth it. Here I am on the cusp of completing my 4th degree, and I am finding myself locked out again. About three years ago, one of the techno giants acquired a commonly used software package, and while it was pretty accessible at the time, the company has now made changes that make it completely useless to me. Sadly, people in the adaptive technology field know little about this software, so I’m at the mercy of this company or another like it. I’ve seen this company pronounce its commitment to accessibility, now if they would actually do something beyond their public relations division. Maybe one of the other companies with a similar product will step up, and I’ll be able to afford an alternative solution. Books that I need to further my knowledge in my field are not available in alternative formats. Publishers, even though they market their books to educators and libraries, don’t have to make their books accessible. From what I understand, publishers are afraid that people will copy their books illegally if accessible electronic versions are available. Clearly they haven’t heard of scanners and copiers; somehow I don’t think their biggest threat is from those with a visual impairment. Information and technology are moving very quickly, and I’d like to keep up. Sadly people are continuing to insure that I remain locked out, and I am not the only one.

Losses mount from scams targeting older Americans - Boston.com

Losses mount from scams targeting older Americans - Boston.com

David Grary from AP does a wonderful job in this article of describing the growing problem of financial abuse and scams. He provides famous, and not so famous, examples of victims throughout the U.S. He also notes the need for appropriations for the federal Elder Justice Act to help law enforcement prevent financial scams and catch and prosecute perpetrators. If you liked my post "Financial Liberty and Protection," then you will not want to miss this article in the Boston Globe.

U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords

By now most people have learned Rep. Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords from Arizona has stepped down. A relatively young, dedicated, public servant, Gabbie held elected office for much of the last 12 years. I’m sure she will have many colleagues and constituents who will miss her and her work. The reason Gabby is leaving the House and her work representing the people of the eighth district of AZ is well known. The mass shooting on January 8, 2011, which seriously injured 12 and killed 6, received much press. Gabby’s public statement announcing her resignation suggests that she wants to focus on her continued recovery and in the future would like to return to work. Though Gabby and her husband, Scott Kelly, have rightly restricted the media access to her medical treatment and rehabilitation, we can imagine that relearning to walk and talk after being shot in the head is extremely challenging. At 41 Gabby’s acquired disabling condition certainly have changed the outlook she had for herself in midlife and beyond. I look forward to the day when she returns to elected office. It’s true that Gabbie will need the career support and technology necessary for her to function in such a professional role. Looking ahead, I hope these supports and technologies will be available to her and the millions of others who could use them to continue to work and be engaged in their communities.