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Tag: AMD

Just A Phone Call Away

Mon, January 22, 2018 Published by

February is National Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month, and many residents here experience low vision in various forms. While many have macular degeneration, which causes loss of central vision, others have glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and numerous other visual conditions. What many don’t realize, however, is that almost all older adults experience age-related changes in vision.  These age-related changes frequently include increased sensitivity to glare, diminished ability to see contrast, increased sensitivity to light changes, decreased depth perception, diminished visual acuity or sharpness, and decreased ability to see in dim light.  Not only that, most older adults with vision loss have some degree of hearing loss too, which can make previously simple tasks like talking on the phone more challenging.  To address both vision and hearing challenges on Campus, the Low Vision Support Group will be sponsoring a special presentation on February 9th at 1:00PM in Boardroom East. Connie Short is a representative from CapTel phones and has previously worked with the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  She will be demonstrating and answering questions about the latest telephone technology for those with vision and/or hearing loss. AND THE BEST PART IS…THE PHONES ARE FREE TO RESIDENTS WHO QUALIFY! We hope you’ll join us to learn more!

National AMD and Low-Vision Awareness Month

Wed, February 10, 2016 Published by

By Mark Pelkey, Mildred Bulpitt Memorial
Low-Vision Support Group Co-Facilitator

February is National Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month. Many of our fellow residents, like myself, find our environment to be somewhat challenging due to issues relating to low vision. Fortunately, a visionary woman (pun intended) here on campus founded a support group dedicated to addressing the issues of the visually impaired.

The Mildred Bulpitt Memorial Low Vision Group meets on the second Friday of each month to share resources and support for those of us who are coping with varying degrees of vision loss. We publish a reference list of eye doctors, optometrists, and local organizations that provide services for the visually impaired. Included on this list are specialists who treat macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, retinitis pigmentosa and, of course, the more commonplace near and farsightedness.

Our reference collection also includes information about Guide Dogs for the Blind, Veterans Administration contact numbers, access to campus and off-campus transportation services, local pharmacies, grocery stores and more.

At our meetings, we share news and information about the latest developments in eye care and technological advancements available to the low vision community. Technologies such as Talking Books, Audible.com, e-book readers, and various other programs and computer enhancements make dealing with a darkened or blurred world less stressful. The Mildred Bulpitt Memorial Low Vision Group strives to make certain that information about these products and services is readily available here at Beatitudes Campus. A further goal is the encouragement of a compassionate environment that ensures a level of comfort, not only for those of us with low vision, but the rest of campus residents as well.

As previously noted, February is National AMD and Low Vision Awareness Month, and you’ll be seeing some of your fellow residents sporting buttons announcing that we have low vision. We with low vision may not recognize even our close friends at times, and the buttons will serve to encourage friends and acquaintances to identify themselves when greeting one another. Also, sometimes we may appear to be a bit turned around in our surroundings or we may need extra time to orient ourselves due to changes in lighting. Again, the buttons offer a quick and simple explanation to any helpful observer.

The Mildred Bulpitt Memorial Low Vision Group invites residents, family, and friends who may have questions or concerns relating to low vision support to join us on February 12 at 1:00PM in Boardroom East at our regularly scheduled meeting. Please contact Mark Pelkey at ext. 5586 or Mary Lou Philips at ext. 8371 for additional information. *