Front Porch Community Services

By Katie Wade, Senior Director of Creative Engagement, Front Porch Editor’s note: Just in time for Older Americas Month in May, APH VisionAware brings you this post about an exciting nationwide program for older people to help prevent social isolation and promote involvement. Front Porch Community Services provides a great service to help older people … Continued

Glaucoma: An Eye Condition with Worldwide Impact 

VisionAware has just updated our Glaucoma Information. Why? Because people who are living with this eye condition need creditable information and resources. And…  Glaucoma Affects Millions of People  According to the National Eye Institute, from 2010 to 2050, the number of people in the U.S. with glaucoma is expected to increase by more than double, … Continued

VisionAware Highlights for 2021

Topics That Have Resonated with Readers   COVID-19, of course, is the big news anywhere you turn, and VisionAware has responded to this crisis for people who are blind or visually impaired by offering content on staying safe, finding transportation, maintaining your household, and looking out for your eyes. VisionAware uses tags for our blog content and has a great search function, so you should be able to find … Continued

I Found a Sight Loss Support Group! Now What?

Editor’s note: Please join us for a panel discussion, Practical Steps to Independence When You’re New to Vision Loss, on July 7 at 5:00PM ET. To learn more and register please visit our webinars page.   Also, read about our featured support group and agency The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington DC. Getting Started Breaking the … Continued

New Research: The Importance of Supporting the Well-Being of Adults with Sensory Loss and Their Spouses in Rehabilitation

Many websites, including VisionAware, emphasize the importance of emotional support and coping strategies when dealing with adult-onset vision loss and combined vision and hearing loss. Some of these strategies include joining peer support groups; reading books about blindness and vision loss; reading personal stories of people who have adjusted to vision loss; and encouraging family … Continued

Where to Find Help When Your Loved One Is New to Vision Loss

Editor’s Note: November is National Caregivers Month with a special day celebrated on November 1. We have had a large number of inquiries from family members seeking advice, so VisionAware’s support group advisor has written a special blog post to help provide some answers and resources.   Vision Loss: A Distressing Experience Vision loss is … Continued

New Research: Emotional Support and Physician Communication Must Accompany Medical Treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Although the advent of anti-VEGF therapy (explained below), administered via eye injection with Lucentis, Eylea, or Avastin, has revolutionized the treatment (but not cure) of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), there remain a number of challenges associated with treatment, including the need for appropriate emotional support and development of effective coping strategies. A new study … Continued

American Foundation for the Blind Leadership Conference Recap: Some Critical Issues for Older Persons with Vision Loss

Guest blogger Kay McGill (pictured at left recording a Public Service Announcement) is the manager of Project Independence: Georgia Vision Program for Adults Age 55 and Over. The Georgia Vision Program is administered by the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and provides the following services to people who are at least 55 years old and have … Continued

Breaking Free from the Flock: When Is It Time to Stop Going to the Support Group?

Editor’s note: This blog post was originally published on Second Sense’s Second Opinions blog. Feeling the Safety in Numbers There is safety in numbers and comfort in being one of a crowd. But, sometimes it is necessary to see if you can stand alone. It means facing fears of failure and putting to the test … Continued

Love, Belonging, and Commitment: Not Just for Your Valentine

Editor’s note: This blog post was originally published on Second Sense’s Second Opinions blog. I have a small confession. Valentine’s Day has been a favorite holiday of mine since grade school. Once January hits, I am already planning a party that somehow never gets thrown. Wrapped up amongst thoughts of pink-iced heart-shaped sugar cookies with … Continued