In 1991, the United Nations (UN) adopted October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons. According to the UN’s webpage on international observances, “By creating special observances, the United Nations promotes international awareness and action on these issues…International days are occasions to educate the general public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources … Continued
Recently the APH ConnectCenter Information and Referral Line received questions about the effects of Plaquenil (Hydroxychloroquine sulfate) on your eyes. This is of particular interest during the pandemic as Plaquenil has been discussed as a possible treatment for COVID-19. It was approved by the FDA for a short time as an emergency treatment for the virus at the beginning of the pandemic, until … Continued
According to the Census Bureau, there are 54 million adults 65 years of aging and older and that number is expected to grow to 80 million by 2040. Likewise, the number of older people with vision loss is expected to double by 2050. What does this mean to you? Part of healthy aging is taking care of your eyes. According to … Continued
This month VisionAware is offering a special fall prevention webinar on September 14 at 2:30 p.m. eastern. Presenters will provide an overview of fall prevention programs with detail about the Matter of Balance program, including its adaptation for people with low vision. Falls Free Initiative The National Council on Aging has raised the alarm about falls through their Falls Free® Initiative, a national … Continued
Now that the Delta variant has arrived, it is time to think about keeping up with the supplies that we need to keep a household going while staying safe. Being aware of how to take care of your shopping and health and safety needs in a pandemic or other crisis is a critical skill. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who are blind … Continued
This past year has been a real test for senior centers. In honor of Senior Center month, the National Council on Aging salutes their work saying “you transformed your centers to virtual classrooms overnight and, in so doing, provided continued means of social engagement and activity during bleak times, turning the table on ageist stereotypes about older adults and technology use. You provided … Continued
As we have noted on VisionAware, good lighting is critical for people with low vision as well as people who have normal age-related vision changes. Lighting and glare affect all aspects of life including reading, getting around, fall prevention, driving, watching television, to name just a few. Thus, VisionAware is pleased to introduce you to a new 18-page booklet entitled Lighting Your Way to Better Vision, published by the … Continued
Editor’s note: Please plan to join our webinar on February 18, “Living with Low Vision: Insider Perspectives.” VisionAware peers with low vision will share their experiences of living with loss at different times in their lives including how they coped with their diagnosis and adjusted to life with vision loss. According to the National Eye Institute, “Low vision can … Continued
Losing vision later in life is an overlooked yet rapidly growing public health crisis, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. The Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition plans to address this looming crisis and bring attention to aging and vision loss at the highest levels. The purpose of the Aging & Vision Loss National Coalition, administered … Continued
According to the National Eye Institute (NEI), “glaucoma is a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in the United States. Many people don’t know that glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages.” NEI further states that “the only way to find out if you have glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. There’s no cure for glaucoma, but early treatment can often stop the damage and … Continued